# Freemason Passwords **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 30, 2001, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859 "2001-04-30T15:31:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Starbury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Starbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbury)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/21 "2001-05-01T15:05:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\* > Yes, there would have to be in some cases. The Masons are not a public park, nor are their buildings and meeting sites public places. They meet in private as a private group - sort of like your family meeting in private as a private family in your family home. So, say I’m curious to what you have in your house: how about handing over a key to the front door? And don’t forget the combo to the safe - I’m really curious as to what’s in there! > > If you don’t see the analogy here, it’s hopeless. > \*\* I must be hopeless, then, because this analogy seems off-base to me. It seems that a more accurate scenario would be: my neighbor sees that in order to open the door to my house, I have to say ‘Open Sesame.’ He then asks me if that phrase is symbolic, or if it is just two words that I picked at random. Reread my question. I didn’t ask for the ‘combo to the safe’. And I’m not ‘really curious as to what’s in there!’ I asked the meaning behind the words that they use. I didn’t ask what the insides of the lodge look like. > [@](#): > > **I’ve known many Prince Hall Masons and not a one of them has referred to himself as a black mason. Perchance you’re making this up?** Well, I was hoping my innocent facade would hold up longer, but I see it is useless to deny it any further now that I am confronted by your cynicism. Yes, I make up stories to post on internet message boards in order to get attention. I apologize for this charade, Monty. > [@](#): > > \*\* > “Got the impression.”?! Oh, please. The issues involved between Prince Hall and other Masons are pretty well-known to both Masonic and Non-Masonic students of Masonry (leaving out, of course, the Fundamentalist Christian groups who think anything other than them is Evil Incarnate - said groups continue to repeat very old lies). Many jurisdictions give “full faith and credit” to Prince Hall Lodges. Again, I say: Perchance you’re making this up?\*\* Until I met this man, I was under the assumption that masons were primarily anglo-saxon. What exactly do you think I’m making up now? That I really didn’t get the impression that he didn’t identify with other types of masons? > [@](#): > > \*\* > Oh, that’s just BS. Every single Mason I’ve known is perfectly willing to, and does, tell someone who asks what degree in the Order he’s attained. And if he knows you’re not a Mason, he’s not going to ask you the password anyway. > \*\* I really don’t see how I can prove to you that this conversation actually took place in this manner, short of introducing you to this man in person. You’ll notice that I didn’t actually bring this up until **Spritle** asked me the reason for my questions. If I was really going to take the time to fabricate this story, why wouldn’t I have just posted it in the OP? Again, I asked him what degree of masonry he was. He didn’t tell me. This has _absolutely nothing to do with my question_. I wanted to know the meaning behind the passwords, I really wasn’t interested in sharing my ‘BS’ story about a mason with everyone. > [@](#): > > **I’m willing to bet your ISP has you use a password - hey, I’m curious as to what you do online: what’s your password, again?** The difference is that someone’s ISP password is used by just one person. Thus, its likely to have a very limited significance, and its symbolism is probably only relevant to that one person. With the masons’ passwords, however, they are used by many people, and thus its significance is probably relevant to more than just one person. That is why I’m asking about the origin of their passwords, rather than the password to Monty’s hotmail account. > [@](#): > > \*\* > Short lesson: Anything purporting to provide the passwords will be from an anti-Masonic outfit. You can get salt at your local grocer’s.\*\* Which is why I asked it on this message board. A typical response in GQ includes factual information, often from both sides of an issue. Very rarely do I see responses in this forum actually attacking the _reason_ for asking a question, rather than the question itself. > [@](#): > > \*\* > Then you are intentionally deluding yourself. Again: Masonry is not a church and it is not a public park.\*\* So you’re telling me that there is information and history out there that I can just never know? Because I’m not a part of this group? I can’t think of any other example where this holds true, except in matters of national security. > [@](#): > > \*\* > Well, since you evidently didn’t get the info your “curiosity” compels you to seek, I’m guessing the Masons have one less impostor to worry about.\*\* So then do you consider historians and etymologists to be imposters? All I’m interested in is the background on words. I have no intention of hoodwinking someone. **Chronos** , yes I read that article. It didn’t really cover the stuff that I am looking for though. **Coolestwhiteboy** , thanks I’ll check that movie out some time. **flowbark** , I tried going to the [masonicinfo.com](http://masonicinfo.com) link, but it didn’t work. I would be interested in seeing an official response, especially if it goes into specifics. Alot of the sites out there seem to be primarily focused on conspiracies rather than the actual history of the masons. Is this the right link? **Spritle** said: > [@](#): > > \*\* > You responded as I wished to, (but as the first response… and I’m a wuss.) > \*\* Don’t confuse having a sense of civility with being a wuss. As to the final part of your post…I really don’t see any sense of hysteria in my OP, so your sarcasm seems to be misplaced. ---
**Author:** ![coolestwhiteboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@coolestwhiteboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coolestwhiteboy)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/22 "2001-05-01T15:08:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fenris \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by coolestwhiteboy \* > > \*\* > > I also have an old 78 rpm record that I got at a rummage sale in Ettrick, Wisconsin–_the site of the original Garden of Eden._ \*\* > > [hijack] > “site of the origianl Garden of Eden”? Wha? > > 1. The _Biblical_ Garden of Eden? Wisconsin…why Wisconsin? Wha? > 2. The _original_ Garden of Eden? There were counterfits? Multiple copies? Backups? > > Please explain further! > [/hijack] > > Fenris \*\* Yes, Ettrick, Wisconsin, is one of several places that claim to be the site of the Garden of Eden. Supposedly, the site is described in the Bible as being at the confluence of three rivers or streams and being populated, of course, with snakes and apple trees (O.K., you have to GATHER that from the Bible). Ettrick has streams, apple trees, and snakes, and also at one time had a nudist colony to boot. I referred to it as the Original Garden of Eden to clarify its status in the eyes of native Ettrickians, much as Alladin’s Falafels in Carbondale, IL, might claim to be the Home of the Original Falafel, vs its main competitor, which claims to be Home of the Real Falafel. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/23 "2001-05-01T16:10:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spritle \* > **Monty** , you handled him well. Thanks for the added input. You responded as I wished to, (but as the first response… and I’m a wuss.) Any time, Brother. But, alas, the OP delights in being obtuse. > [@](#): > > I treat society “secrets” just as that. If they wanted me to know, or didn’t mind if I knew, they’d tell me. Kind of like when the two people in the next cube are talking. Sounds reasonable to me. > [@](#): > > BTW, I’m a former DeMolay myself (until I turned 21, of course.) > > **What does that mean “until I turned 21”? Are members excommunicated? Forced into Masonry? Shanghied into Shriners? Knocked into Knights Templar? I ain’t tellin… IT’S A SECRET!!** For the uninitiated: once a DeMolay turns 21, he’s then considered a Senior DeMolay. He may attend DeMolay meetings but is no longer a voting member of the Order. I add this because some folks might not realize that Spritle was making a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/24 "2001-05-01T16:13:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bricker \* > **1. I was talking about the Knights of Columbus rituals; I have no idea if masonic rituals may be found in the Library of Congress; I assure you the K of C ones are not.** You can see for yourself with a subject search for Knights of Columbus at the [online Library of Congress catalog](http://catalog.loc.gov/): the Library of Congress holds two editions of a book titled _Knights of Columbus ; illustrated; a complete ritual and history of the first three degrees, including all secret “work”_ by Thomas Cornelius Knight. Published in Chicago by E. A. Cook in 1918, reprinted 1947. I’m a librarian. ---
**Author:** ![Starbury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Starbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbury)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/25 "2001-05-01T16:44:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\* > the OP delights in being obtuse. > \*\* Your smug tone in this thread doesn’t exactly put your mental acuity in its best light. Really, is there anything in my OP that actually warrants you to be insulting towards me? ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/26 "2001-05-01T17:30:17Z")
Thank you to **Jomo Mojo** for the links. Hopefully this meets your request, **Bricker**? As an amazing coincidental asside, how wonderful that my favorite online magazine has an article on this very issue (sort of) [today](http://www.suck.com/daily/2001/05/01). They even have a discussion [forum](http://www.plastic.com/article.pl?sid=01/05/01/0129238) going on. H.A.N.D., y’all. ---
**Author:** ![Spritle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Spritle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spritle)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/27 "2001-05-01T17:39:25Z")
dearest **Starbury** , I don’t think that **Monty** is being insulting based on your OP, rather on your insistance to know and obstreperousness to listen to reasons why you shouldn’t be told. At the risk of sounding glib, it’s none of your business. If you were a Mason, the significance of the passwords, handshakes, etc. would be your business. I’m not a Mason, thus I don’t know their secrets. However, given their membership history, I can imagine that any significance is possibly imagined (like military passwords or project names) or, if truly significant, that significance has something to do with either masonry as a trade (hence the square, caliper, trowel, apron, etc.) or something that crept in as memberships were more open. Perhaps the significance has been lost over the centuries. If **Monty** and I seem a bit defensive about secrecy, it is because we are/were both members of such organizations and respect the privacies they hold. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/28 "2001-05-01T19:53:59Z")
[Moderator watch ON] I probably should have said something about this sooner, but this thread is starting to get a bit too heated. The OP asked a question. There’s nothing illegal or dangerous about the answer, and it’s a factual matter. If you don’t think that he should know the answer, then you don’t have to tell him, but if you don’t have anything to add, then don’t post. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/29 "2001-05-01T22:14:29Z")
Well, I was in Jobies (Job’s Daughters) when I was a kid, but we never knew what the older folks did. Especially the menfolk. I think it’s kind of cool that way. I liked the mystery. I come from a long line of Masons and Eastern Stars. My Uncle George was a 33rd degree Mason. (I think I got the rank right; correct me if I’m wrong…). I got the impression that that was a big deal. Also… I agree that secret stuff should stay secret. Otherwise, where’s the fun? ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/30 "2001-05-01T22:43:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Creaky \* > \*\*Also… I agree that secret stuff should stay secret. Otherwise, where’s the fun? \*\* Well, the key thing is that you’re assuming it’s a secret. It’s not. As people in this thread have shown, it’s all there in the Library of Congress. Just because the members won’t tell you doesn’t make it a secret. The information is out there (somewhere) for public consumption. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2001, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/31 "2001-05-01T23:55:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jomo Mojo \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Bricker \* > > **1. I was talking about the Knights of Columbus rituals; I have no idea if masonic rituals may be found in the Library of Congress; I assure you the K of C ones are not.** > > You can see for yourself with a subject search for Knights of Columbus at the [online Library of Congress catalog](http://catalog.loc.gov/): the Library of Congress holds two editions of a book titled _Knights of Columbus ; illustrated; a complete ritual and history of the first three degrees, including all secret “work”_ by Thomas Cornelius Knight. Published in Chicago by E. A. Cook in 1918, reprinted 1947. > > I’m a librarian. \*\* Jomo, you’re a great librarian, but you’re not, I take it, a Knight. I have read the book in question – the 1947 version – and the rituals they describe are not accurate. So I grant that there’s a book in the Library of Congress _purporting_ to describe the K of C ceremonials, but it does not accurately do so. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/32 "2001-05-02T03:25:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Starbury \* > **flowbark** , I tried going to the [masonicinfo.com](http://masonicinfo.com) link, but it didn’t work. I would be interested in seeing an official response, especially if it goes into specifics. Alot of the sites out there seem to be primarily focused on conspiracies rather than the actual history of the masons. > Is this the right link? I presented your case to the Illuminati High Council, and we decided to give you access to that page. Try it again. 🙂 [http://www.masonicinfo.com/](http://www.masonicinfo.com/) ---
**Author:** ![coolestwhiteboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@coolestwhiteboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coolestwhiteboy)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2001, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/33 "2001-05-02T10:46:59Z")
“We met on the level.” “And we parted on the square.” ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2001, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/34 "2001-05-06T23:27:52Z")
It’s no big deal, really. I won’t tell you any Masonic passwords, signs, or show you the Grip. Why? Because I promised my brothers I wouldn’t. If you found out these things without doing a lot of research, you probably wouldn’t be able to fool anybody for long with only the passwords and grip. Why would anyone want to pretend to be a Mason anyway? Joining a lodge is simple, if you really want in. All you have to do is tell a Mason you want to join, and take it from there. We are forbidden to ask you to join (because a brother joins “of his own free will,”) but once you ask, it’s not any great trial to get in. There are some old sticks-in-the-mud who might resist your joining a Prince Hall lodge if you’re white, or vice-versa, but the tide is slowly turning. ---
**Author:** ![sjc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@sjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjc)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2001, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/35 "2001-05-06T23:39:35Z")
Uhmm, I have to admit I haven’t read all of what has been written on this post but I’m curious about the Tubal Cain mentioned in one of the posts. Near where I live is a mine called Tubal Cain mine and there os a trail through the woods. I’ve had nothing but bad luck hiking it and never actually made to the end of the trail. It’s in the mountains in Washington State, at the moment I’m forgetting where. On the Olympic Peninsula for sure. So what’s up? Masons big in Washington State? Or at least in that particular area? Anyone have any more info on this Tubal Cain guy? ---
**Author:** ![insider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@insider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/insider)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2001, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/36 "2001-05-07T01:47:29Z")
If you can get a copy of the book Duncans Rituals you will be given a number of passwords and some of the rituals that the Masons conduct in their ceremonies. All of these apparently are public knowledge if you are at all interested. ---
**Author:** ![insider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@insider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/insider)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2001, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/37 "2001-05-07T01:52:48Z")
If you can get a copy of the book Duncans Rituals you will be given a number of passwords and some of the rituals that the Masons conduct in their ceremonies. All of these apparently are public knowledge if you are at all interested. ---
**Author:** ![OldMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b2d939/32.png) [@OldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldMan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2001, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/38 "2001-05-07T01:54:28Z")
From the KJV, Genesis 4:22: “And Zillah she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron” I presume this is the Tubal Cain that’s important in Masonic history. The name Cain (Kayin, in Hebrew) is usually taken to mean a smith. Tubal-cain means the smith of Tubal, and Tubal, according to the estimable Dr. Asimov in his two volume guide to the Bible, is a district in Asia Minor. ---
**Author:** ![Starbury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Starbury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starbury)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2001, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/39 "2001-05-07T12:55:45Z")
**OldMan** , ok that clears some things up. **Captain Amazing** said that Tubal Cain was the first smith. So I guess that, since its in genesis, this is the first reference to a smith? **insider** , I did see that book on [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com)…I was thinking about getting it, but it seemed to focus more on the specifics of the rituals, rather than the history behind it. Have you read it? **AskNott** , my goal here was never to be an ‘imposter,’ or to get into a lodge. I was mainly just interested in the history behind everything. Anyway, besides the fact that most members of Prince Hall lodges are black, is there any real difference between them and ‘regular’ masons? ---
**Author:** ![ExposeTheElite01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/839c29/32.png) [@ExposeTheElite01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExposeTheElite01)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859/40 "2016-05-21T19:42:38Z")
[http://www.beyondweird.com/conspiracies/msnscrts.html](http://www.beyondweird.com/conspiracies/msnscrts.html) Here you will find all secret passwords and handshakes needed to crash a mason party All tho be warned fucking around with a bunch of devil worshippers and child molesters is probley not to smart considering people like the Rothschild and any one who was skull and bones other words silverspoon babies might not be the best idea but this site will tell you everything from the initiation ceramonys to the Shriners test etc… Nothing stays a secret for ever, if your a member your told if you speak of any of this you will have your tongue cut out but I don’t think they do that anymore they will just kill you, Alex jones informs us all of the elite and corrupt [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freemason-passwords/63859.md?page=3)