The Origins of Freemasonry: A Historical Perspective

Freemasonry's origins can be traced back to the medieval stonemasons' guilds of Europe. These operative masons built the great cathedrals and castles of the Middle Ages. Over time, the organization evolved from an operative craft to a speculative fraternity, maintaining the tools and symbols of the stonemasons while applying them to moral and philosophical teachings. The first Grand Lodge was established in London in 1717, marking the beginning of modern Freemasonry as we know it today.