Royal Arch or Mark?
Royal Arch offers the closest continuation of the English Craft narrative. Mark is independently governed and centres on work, merit and recognition. Neither is a rank above the other.
A clear guide to Masonic orders
Explore orders
beyond the Craft.
Compare documented history, current eligibility, governing authority and the continuing experience after admission.
30orders explained
4main routes
01 / Start here
One foundation.
Many paths.
Craft Freemasonry is complete in itself. A Master Mason may become eligible to explore other bodies, but the arrows on this page describe qualifications—not promotion, merit or a universal sequence.
The Royal Arch has an unusually close constitutional relationship with English Craft and is separately administered by Supreme Grand Chapter. Mark, Rose Croix, Knights Templar and most other bodies here have their own governing authorities.
Sources: UGLE on the Royal Arch and Mark Masons' Hall order directory. Inclusion on this independent site does not imply UGLE endorsement or recognition.
02 / Connection map
See how orders connect.
This diagram answers one narrow question: which memberships commonly qualify a Mason to approach another body in England and Wales? It does not show prestige, recognition between every authority, local availability or the quality of a particular unit.
Universal
Christian
By invitation
Specialist
Start here
Craft Freemasonry
The shared foundation of the Masonic journey.
Understanding the landscape
How Masonic orders connect.
Read each connection as an eligibility statement, then open the full guide. A useful decision also needs the order's governing body, current faith or invitation requirements, ordinary meeting culture and realistic local calendar.
Direct routes from Craft
Current rules allow qualified Master Masons to consider several very different bodies, including Secret Monitor, Rose Croix and SRIA. “Open from Craft” does not mean identical faith, invitation or local approval requirements.
Routes needing Royal Arch
Knights Templar and Red Cross of Constantine both draw from Royal Arch but remain separately governed Christian orders with different narratives and joining cultures.
Routes needing Mark and Royal Arch
Royal & Select Masters develops a connected Cryptic narrative; AMD preserves a varied collection of ceremonies. Shared prerequisites do not make their purposes interchangeable.
Study-led routes
SRIA makes papers and Rosicrucian study visible within a Trinitarian Christian society. Rose Croix is a separately governed ceremonial Rite and should not be treated as the same kind of body.
03 / Route finder
Which order might
suit you?
Tell us where you are in your journey and what interests you. The guide will suggest relevant profiles, not a prescribed progression.
This tool is educational only. Eligibility and invitation processes vary. Always check with the relevant official body.
04 / Browse
Choose an order.
Start with the main routes, or reveal the full directory.
No orders match that search. Try a broader term.
05 / Keep in mind
Different orders.
Shared ground.
01
Not a ranking
Joining another order does not place one Mason above another.
02
Separate bodies
Each order sets its own rules and membership requirements.
03
Your choice
Explore only the paths that suit your interests, time and beliefs.