33rd Degree: Sovereign Grand Inspector General Pinback Button

Introducing “Sacred Symbols” Collection by C.7 Design Studio. Here you will find a unique design, featuring a symbol of the 33rd Degree: Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Inspector General Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million. The fraternity is administratively organized into independent Grand Lodges or sometimes Orients, each of which governs its own jurisdiction, which consists of subordinate (or constituent) Lodges. There are also appending bodies, which are organizations related to the main branch of Freemasonry, but with their own independent administration. The Thirty-third Degree is conferred by the Supreme Council upon members of the Rite in recognition of outstanding work in the Rite or in public life. At its biennial session, the Supreme Council elects members of the Rite to receive the degree. Members unanimously so elected become honorary members of the Supreme Council. The Thirty-third Degree may not be requested, and if requested must be refused. The degree is granted solely out of recognition for outstanding services. These 33° Masons are Inspectors General Honorary and honorary members of the Supreme Council. The active members of the Supreme Council are chosen from among them. The cap for an Inspector General Honorary is white with a white band edged in gold, featuring the symbol for this honorary degree, a red slanting Patriarchal Cross.