Masonic handshakes are traditional physical greetings used by members of the fraternity to recognize one another across different lodges and jurisdictions. Far from being mere parlor tricks or occult signals, these tactile grips function as structural components of traditional initiation ceremonies within Blue Lodge Freemasonry. Each specific grasp corresponds to a particular degree of membership, tying moral instruction to physical movement.
Historically, operative stonemasons relied on precise modes of recognition to prove their skill level when traveling to new building sites, since formal paper credentials didn't exist. Speculative Freemasonry inherited these physical tokens, transforming them into allegorical lessons about integrity, trust, and mutual obligation among brethren.
The Three Degrees and Their Grips
Blue Lodge Freemasonry consists of three foundational degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. Each tier features a distinct handshake, often referred to as a "token" or "grip," paired with a specific password.
Entered Apprentice Grip
The First Degree handshake is known as the grip of an Entered Apprentice, or the Boaz grip.
- Execution: Masons press the top of the thumb against the first knuckle of the other person's hand.
- Context: This token is introduced during the candidate's initial initiation into the craft. It symbolizes the beginner's entry into architectural symbolism and moral self-improvement.
- Associated Word: A specific pass word accompanies this grip, traditionally whispered rather than spoken aloud in public contexts.
Fellow Craft Grip
The Second Degree features two distinct tactile interactions: a pass grip and a real grip.
- Pass Grip (Shibboleth): Executed by pressing the thumb into the space between the index and middle fingers.
- Real Grip (Jachin): Executed by pressing firmly on the second knuckle of the middle finger.
- Context: The Fellow Craft degree emphasizes education, arts, and sciences. The use of "Shibboleth" as a pass word draws directly from historical biblical accounts regarding linguistic recognition.
Master Mason Grip
The Third Degree represents the climax of traditional lodge membership and utilizes the most complex physical interaction.
- Pass Grip (Tubalcain): Involves pressing the thumb between the second and third knuckles.
- Real Grip (Ma-Ha-Bone): Also known colloquially as the lion's paw, this involves interlocking fingers and applying pressure to the wrist area.
- Context: This grip is tied closely to the allegory of Hiram Abiff, emphasizing themes of mortality, resurrection, and steadfast loyalty.
The Five Points of Fellowship
Master Masons also recognize a deeper level of physical connection known as the Five Points of Fellowship. This interaction extends beyond a standard handshake into a full-body alignment that reinforces fraternal duties.
The five points dictate specific physical contact points during confidential communications:
- Foot to foot, signifying a readiness to go on errands of mercy.
- Knee to knee, representing shared posture during obligation and prayer.
- Breast to breast, symbolizing the preservation of a brother's secrets within one's own heart.
- Hand to back, demonstrating active support for a struggling member.
- Mouth to ear, indicating counsel and discretion regarding a brother's character.
According to historical records from organizations like the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, these physical touchpoints are designed to internalize moral responsibility rather than establish an elite social hierarchy.
Practical Realities in Modern Lodges
Many outsiders assume members walk around shaking hands in elaborate, secret ways during daily business. In practice, modern Freemasons use a standard, everyday handshake for casual greetings.
Specialized grips are reserved strictly for lodge environments, ritual work, or when a member needs to formally prove their standing to a stranger in an unfamiliar jurisdiction. Because worldwide Grand Lodges maintain strict rules regarding mutual recognition, a proper grip and its matching word serve as a verification protocol.
Common errors among casual observers and fiction writers include mixing up the order of the degrees or treating the gestures as literal curses. In reality, the historic penalties associated with handshakes were purely symbolic elements of theatrical oaths, mirroring ancient legal traditions.
For further reading on the institutional evolution of these practices, the United Grand Lodge of England offers extensive archives detailing the transition from operative trade guilds to modern fraternal societies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Masonic handshakes completely secret?
No. While they aren't broadcast publicly during open events, instructions, handbooks, and ritual exposures have been widely published by historians and former members since the 18th century. Today, they survive primarily as traditional ceremonial elements.
Do all Masonic lodges use the exact same grips?
Most regular jurisdictions worldwide share common foundational grips through a system of mutual recognition, though minor regional variations in foot placement or wording can occur between different state and national Grand Lodges.
Can anyone join a lodge and learn these handshakes?
Yes, provided an individual meets basic eligibility criteria. Applicants must be of adult age, come of good repute, and express a belief in a Supreme Being, regardless of specific religious affiliation.
Why do the grips differ by degree?
Each degree represents a distinct stage of moral instruction and philosophical maturity. The progression of physical grips mirrors the candidate's educational journey through the craft.
