What are the core principles of Freemasonry?

Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth constitute the core tenets taught in the Craft 1. Truth is considered the foundation of all Masonic virtue, demanding sincerity and plain dealing, while Relief obligates Masons to assist the distressed, soothe misfortunes, and restore peace to troubled minds 1. The Craft pairs these tenets with the four cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice 1.

Belief in a Supreme Being and adherence to the moral law are foundational prerequisites across Craft Masonry 45. The Craft does not function as a religion or a substitute for religious faith; rather, it establishes a universal moral system reconcilable with any creed 45. It requires a belief in God while encouraging members to remain steadfast in their individual faiths, thereby bringing together men of diverse persuasions in friendship and mutual respect 45. This spiritual foundation is formally recognized in the lodge through prayer and the open Volume of Sacred Writings upon the altar 5.

In the Craft degrees, the fraternity is symbolically supported by the three grand pillars of Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty 23. Wisdom represents the reflective application of knowledge toward brotherhood, Strength signifies the passive endurance of moral principles, and Beauty expresses the social virtues, benevolence, and brotherly affection that adorn both the individual and the institution 23.