Why is an Entered Apprentice called an Entered Apprentice?
An Entered Apprentice is called an Entered Apprentice because the term reflects the candidate's status as a learner and a novice in the Masonic Order. The word "Apprentice" is derived from the medieval stonemasons' guilds, where young men were enrolled as apprentices to learn the skills and secrets of stonemasonry. Similarly, in Freemasonry, the Entered Apprentice degree is a preliminary step where candidates are initiated into the fraternity and begin their journey of learning and personal growth.
Historically, the Entered Apprentice degree symbolizes the candidate's entrance into the world of Freemasonry, representing a journey from ignorance and darkness to intellectual and moral light. As an Entered Apprentice, the individual is expected to demonstrate commitment to the fraternity, support its activities, and learn the basic tenets and principles of Freemasonry.
In essence, the title "Entered Apprentice" signifies the candidate's role as a learner and novice in the Masonic Order, reflecting both the historical and symbolic context of the degree.