Le Droit Humain, 5 rue Jules Breton, 75013 Paris

The International Order of

Freemasonry Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

''Le Droit Humain'' is a global

Masonic Freemasonry or Masonry refers to Fraternity, fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of Stonemasonry, stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their inte ...

Order, membership of which is available to men and women on equal terms, regardless of nationality, religion or ethnicity.

History

Plaque for Maison Georges Martin - Le Droit Humain

The Order is founded on the ancient teachings and traditions of Freemasonry, using

Masonic ritual Masonic ritual is the scripted words and actions that are spoken or performed during the degree work in a Masonic lodge. Masonic symbolism is that which is used to illustrate the principles which Freemasonry espouses. Masonic ritual has appeared ...

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

Scottish Rite The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the ''and'', while the English Constitution in the United Kingdom omits the ''Scottish''), commonly known as simply the S ...

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. ''Le Droit Humain'' has about 32,000 members in more than 60 countries around the world and on all inhabited continents. Its headquarters is in Paris, France, where it was founded by Georges Martin and

Maria Deraismes Maria Deraismes (17 August 1828 – 6 February 1894) was a French author, Freemason, and major pioneering force for women's rights. Biography Born in Paris, Maria Deraismes grew up in Pontoise in the city's northwest outskirts. From a p ...

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 Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...

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.

Portugal

The Portuguese Federation of Le Droit Humain (Portuguese: Ordem Maçónica Mista Internacional Le Droit Humain - Federação Portuguesa) was founded in 1923 by

Adelaide Cabete Adelaide Cabete Adelaide Cabete (25 January 1867, Elvas – 14 September 1935), was a Portuguese feminist and republican. In 1909, with Ana de Castro Osorio she created the Republican League of Portuguese Women. She was the founder of the Portug ...

. After the coup d'état of 28 May 1926 the dictatorial regime Estado Novo forbade masonry in the country and the order fades away. In 1980 a new lodge is opened and a new era for the Portuguese Federation of Le Droit Humain began.

North America

Le Droit Humain is present in Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America. The first lodge in the United States was founded on October 25, 1903 by Louis Goaziou.

Regularity and recognition

''Le Droit Humain'' is in mutual amity with the following Orders (meaning recognition is reciprocal and members can intervisit): * Grand Loge Féminine de France * Grand Orient de France *

Grand Orient of Belgium Grand may refer to: People with the name * Grand (surname) * Grand L. Bush (born 1955), American actor * Grand Mixer DXT, American turntablist * Grand Puba (born 1966), American rapper Places * Grand, Oklahoma * Grand, Vosges, village and c ...

References

External links

The International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women ''Le Droit Humain''The International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women ''Le Droit Humain'' — French Federation

The International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women ''Le Droit Humain'' — British FederationThe International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women ''Le Droit Humain'' — American FederationThe International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women ''Le Droit Humain'' — Australian FederationThe International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women ''Le Droit Humain'' — South African Federation
{{Authority control Co-Freemasonry Freemasonry Masonic organizations Grand Lodges