The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with its traditional modes of recognition which are used solely as a test of membership, e.g. when visiting a Lodge where you are not known. This is an allusion to the ancient stonemasons usage of signs, tokens, and words to identify qualified craftsmen at construction sites throughout the land.

Freemasonry is not a secret society, since all members are free to acknowledge their membership and will do so in response to enquiries for respectable reasons. Its constitutions and rules are available to the public, and there is no secret about any of its aims and principles. Like many other societies, it regards some of its internal affairs as private matters for its members.

It is acknowledged that Freemasonry went underground during the Second World War due to anti-Masonic propaganda and persecution (see our History of Freemasonry page for more information). For this reason, Freemasons understandably adopted an attitude of secrecy in order to secure their own lives and the continuation of Freemasonry itself.

This attitude of secrecy continued after the war, and it is only within the last 20 years or so that Freemasonry has re-emerged from its own shadow. Now we are holding Open Days and regular Social events for non-members and families and friends of existing members. Grand Lodge in London is open most days to the public.