Royal Ark Mariner Degree

This “Little Gem of a Degree”, although worked under the aegis of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, and requiring every candidate to be a Mark Master Mason, has no historical connection whatsoever with the Mark Degree.   Mark Grand Lodge’s rule over the ‘Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners’ is simply a quirk of fate. It stands entirely alone and totally unrelated to any other degree in Freemasonry.

The Royal Ark Mariner Degree is a venerable and esteemed component within the rich tapestry of Freemasonry, offering initiates a unique voyage of discovery and enlightenment upon the waters of symbolism and tradition.  The history of the Degree is an obscure and difficult subject and the number of historical facts that have emerged over the years have indeed been small, and therefore, the precise origins of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree are unknown.

We know that the Degree is around two hundred years old and, as its name suggests, it has a nautical flavour taking for its setting the circumstances leading up to the Great Flood and the steps taken by Noah to build the Ark by which mankind was preserved from perishing in the ‘Universal Deluge’

Like the Mark Master Mason’s Degree, which is based on an established fact (i.e. the construction of the Temple at Jerusalem), so the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner is also based on an actual happening, (in this case the Great Flood), as recorded in the Bible and other sources.

Rooted in nautical themes and ancient maritime lore, the Royal Ark Mariner Degree pays homage to the seafaring traditions that have shaped the course of human history. It invites candidates to embark on a metaphorical journey across the oceans of time, navigating the tides of moral and philosophical inquiry.

As Royal Ark Mariners, we embrace the virtues of courage, resilience, and fortitude exemplified by those who brave the open seas. The symbolism of the degree evokes imagery of ships, compasses, and anchors, serving as potent reminders of the navigational tools we employ in the pursuit of truth and enlightenment.

The teaching of the Degree emphasises the importance of the  strength of the family and the need for each member of society to play his part for the benefit of all. We are taught that out of chaos and catastrophe mankind can survive and that we should face adversity together, helping to look after those less fortunate than ourselves.

Through our rituals and ceremonies, we explore the allegorical significance of the voyage of life, charting a course through the turbulent waters of adversity and uncertainty towards the shores of spiritual illumination.  Analogies are drawn between the dangers of the flood and the dangers of life. We are reminded of how we should strive to reach the Ark, the haven of rest, just as Noah’s family and the other occupants of the Ark did in the Biblical tales of the deluge.

At the heart of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree lies a profound commitment to fellowship and brotherhood. As Mariners, we are bound together by the shared bonds of camaraderie and mutual support, united in our dedication to the principles of charity, integrity and compassion.

There is only one ceremony (apart from installation of a Worshipful Commander) and that is the ceremony of elevation. Only one ritual is used throughout the constitution.

Join us as we set sail upon the seas of Masonic symbolism and tradition, embarking on a voyage of self-discovery and enlightenment.   Together, let us navigate the currents of wisdom and virtue, guided by the guiding light of Masonic principles and the fellowship of our brethren.

Welcome to the Royal Ark Mariner Degree —a beacon of light amidst the vast expanse of Masonic knowledge and fraternity.

(See under RAM History for a more detailed history of the Degree)