Entered Apprentice Ring

Q:  Now that I have passed my Entered Apprentice degree, can I wear an
     Entered Apprentice  Ring?

A:  No, I’m sorry, but you may not. 

Q:  Why not?

A:  There is no such thing as an Entered Apprentice ring nor a
     Fellowcraft ring, available.

Q:  So, why did you write a page about it?

A:  There are 3 reasons. 

    (1.)  To help you understand that it is unavailable and help you
           end your time spent looking for one.
    (2.)  To save you any small embarrassment to yourself which might
           be caused by asking one of your lodge members.
    (3.)  To help you learn more about how each degree displays the
           Square and Compasses, so you may better understand what
           your Master Mason's ring symbolizes...which you will read
           more about a little farther down this page.

Q:  I see other brethren wearing rings.  What kind of rings are they?

A:  They are Master Mason rings, which may only be worn after the
     brother has passed his 3^rd degree,…and become a Master Mason. 

Q:  I’m very proud to have passed my Entered Apprentice degree
     (and sad that there is no such thing as an Entered Apprentice ring).
     So, can I purchase a Master Mason’s ring, now?

A:  The Master Mason’s ring signifies and honors your achievement of
     having passed the 3^rd degree. 

     The raising of a brother to the “Sublime degree of Master Mason” is
     a high honor, indeed.  However, while you may purchase your Master
     Mason’s ring before you pass your degree; it is best to wait until you
     have a full understanding of what the ring symbolizes before you begin
     to wear it.

Q:  I want everyone to know how proud I am to be an Entered Apprentice.
     Since there is no such thing as an Entered Apprentice ring, what would
     happen if I purchased and began wearing a Master Mason ring?

A:  In the United States, it is possible to pass all 3 degrees in 3-6 months.
     Therefore, while you may purchase your Master Mason ring, it would
     be advisable not to wear it until you have, indeed, received your 3rd
     degree.
    
     If you begin wearing it before you have been raised, your lodge
     brothers may perceive you to be one who takes what is not rightfully
     theirs, without having earned the right and privilege to do so... and in
     all probability, one of them will gently call you aside to admonish you
     as to the impropriety of such.

Freemasonry Degree Symbols

Within Freemasonry, there are 3 levels, (or 3 degrees)...Entered
Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.  Each degree is symbolized
by how the square and compass is displayed.  

Entered Apprentice Degree Symbol:

Both points (legs) of the compass lie under the square.

Fellow Craft Degree Symbol:

The left point (leg) of the compass lies on top of the square and the right point (leg) of the compass lies under the square.

Simon-Sez:  An easy way to remember this is "Up north, down south".


Master Mason Degree Symbol:

A Master Mason ring has both points of the compass overlaid on top of the square.  (see the ring, below)

EA:  The Entered Apprentice degree is a pledge of your word. 

FC:  The Fellow Craft degree is an obligation of your spirit. 

MM:  The Master Mason degree is your seal of authenticity as both
        a man of your word with the dedication of your spirit toward
        both the fraternity of Freemasonry and the brotherhood of man.

For more information about this ancient seal of authenticity,...you may wish to read a little about the history of the Masonic Signet Ring.

To learn more about the Masonic symbols of the 3 degrees, as well as the meanings of the Masonic verses within each of them, please readMasonic Degree Verses.

Since your are new to Freemasonry, here is some additional suggested reading: 

Masonic Etiquette

The Old Charges of Freemasonry

If you have found this page or this site to have been helpful to you, and worthy of recommending to others, so that they, too, may increase their Masonic knowledge, below are some ways to do so.

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Study Guide:  To use this Entered Apprentice Ring as a study guide, you may wish to E-Mail this page to your new initiates, or current members so they may study it on their own.

Education Officer:  At your next Blue Lodge of Instruction meeting, you as the Lodge Education Officer may wish to print thisEntered Apprentice Ring page to discuss why an Entered Apprentice cannot wear a Blue Lodge Ring.

Send URL to another Brother:  To do so, simply copy this link, (in your Address Bar at the top of the page),  then open your E-mail, compose a new message to whom you wish to send it and paste this URL address into your message area with your message.

Students of Freemasonry: Feel free to print this Entered Apprentice Ringpage to put into your lodge notebook to refer to at a later date.

Masonic Education builds Masonic Retention.

Entered Apprentice Ring Language Translation