Le Droit Humain

File:Droit-humain-Paris.JPG

Le Droit humain, Paris

The International Order of Freemasonry Le Droit Humain is a global Masonic Order, membership of which is available to men and women on equal terms, regardless of nationality, religion or ethnicity. The Order is founded on the ancient teachings and traditions of Freemasonry, using Masonic ritual and symbolism as its tools in the search for truth. On the individual level, the Order aims "to promote the progress of individual worth, without the imposition of dogma, or exacting the abandonment of cultural or religious ideas". On a collective level it works "to unite men and women who agree on a humanist spirituality whilst respecting individual and cultural differences".

In contrast with other Masonic organisations which operate in national or state jurisdiction only, Le Droit Humain is a global fraternity with many Federations and Jurisdictions worldwide, each of which work the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite from the 1st to the 33rd degree. The Order is administered by the Supreme Council, which has its headquarters in Paris. Within the International Constitution, however, member Federations have the freedom of self-governance.

Presence throughout the world

Le Droit Humain has lodges in the following countries:

Africa

Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia.

Asia

Israel, Japan, Lebanon.

Europe

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia (Slovak Republic), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.

Belgium

The Belgian Federation of Le Droit Humain (French: la Fédération Belge du Droit Humain; Dutch: Belgische Federatie van Le Droit Humain) is a Belgian cupola of masonic lodges which is accessible for men and women, and works in the 33 symbolic degrees of freemasonry. The first Belgian Lodge of Le Droit Humain was founded in 1912.

Great Britain

The British Federation of the International Order of Co-Freemasonry Le Droit Humain was the first Federation to be established outside France, thus making the Order truly International. On 26 September 1902 Lodge Human Duty No. 6 was consecrated by the Grand Master, The V. Ills. S. Marie Martin 33°, assisted by Officers of the Supreme Council, including one of the Co-Founders of the Order, Georges Martin 33°. The first Master of the Lodge was Annie Besant, who would become the first Grand Commander of the British Federation.

The British Federation works the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite from the 1st to the 33rd degree inclusive. In addition the Allied Degrees of Mark, Royal Ark Mariner, Excellent Master, Holy Royal Arch of Jerusalem, Knights Templar and Royal Order of Scotland are worked.

North America

Canada, Mexico, and United States of America.

Oceania

Australia.

South America

Argentina, Bolivia Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Regularity and recognition

Le Droit Humain is in mutual amity with the following Orders (meaning recognition is reciprocal and members can intervisit):

• Grande Loge de France
• Grand Loge Féminine de France
• Grand Orient de France
• Grand Orient of Belgium
• Grand Lodge of Belgium

Le Droit Humain recognises the following Masonic Orders (but is not reciprocally recognised by them as a regular Masonic Order):

• United Grand Lodge of England
• Grand Lodges of all the United States
• Prince Hall Masons

See also

• Women and Freemasonry
• Co-Freemasonry
• CLIPSAS
• International Secretariat of the Masonic Adogmatic Powers
• Belgian Federation of Le Droit Humain
• Le Droit Humain in Sweden
• Le Droit Humain in North America
• List of Notable Freemasons

External links

• L'Ordre Maçonnique Mixte International "Le Droit Humain"
• British Federation of the International Order of Co-Freemasonry, "Le Droit Humain"