Rite of Memphis-Misraim

The Memphis - Mizraim - Rite, also Age and Primitive Rite of Memphis - Mizraim or Egyptian Masonry briefly describes an " irregular " Masonic high degree system. By 1881 the Memphis and Mizraim Rite of working separately. Their union is due to the efforts of Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Mizraim Rite

The 1805 -founded in Venice Mizraim Rite included a complex system of 90 degrees. At that time, they sought the true origin of Freemasonry in the Egyptian mysteries. In addition to the duties of a Freemason James Anderson's work, The Constitutions of the Free - Masons contains an ideal history of Freemasonry, in which he sets the Freemasonry in relationship with the Egyptian pyramids and emphasizes that many lodges had come up in their design. Major impetus in the early days also by Giuseppe Balsamo, was established in 1775 Egyptian Freemasonry, which allowed both men and women. Through them, his alchemical and magical embossed degree system used. The rite could quickly gain a foothold in cities like Milan, Genoa and Naples. 1788 led Cagliostro Luigi d' Aquino, the Grand Master of Neapolitan Masonry, in the rite. As a result, strengthened the temple generic idea and led to the exclusion of the Egyptian components. To 1803-1805 the brothers Joseph and Marc Michél Bédarride were initiated in the Mizraim, had the major role in its development. At that time saw themselves as successors of the Knights of Jerusalem and the Rosicrucians. In the following years the Mizraim - Rite for Jacobins and Carbonari was interesting, because anti-clerical and anti-monarchical tendencies had formed in him. This led, among other things, about 1817 to his prohibition until 1881 and a rapid exit members.

Memphis Rite

Napoleon's Egyptian expedition (1798-1801) caused a great interest among the educated classes of the 19th century in Europe at the ancient Egyptian culture. The 1814 promoted by the adventurer Samuel Honis from Cairo in France Memphis Rite or Oriental Masonic Order of Memphis and its 95 degrees is an expression of this. The 95 degrees were divided into three orders, each with 30 levels. The last five were administrative purposes. In the first Order of the moral teachings, meanings of symbols, teaching about the humanity and the science of nature were the focus. In the first case only Masonic Order were taken with completed masters degrees. We looked at the blue Johannisfreimaurerei as part of the First Order in Mizraim - Rite. In the second Order of philosophy and history of the Order were deepened. There were the ancient myths and the Indian philosophy involved. The third medal exclusively devoted to the higher philosophy. There was talk here of the general restoration of fire and the great revelation of the light ( enlightenment).

Among the members of the expedition were many followers of Masonic associations which was not uncommon at that time. Upon their return they decided to build an independent from the English Mutterloge obedience. 1835, the Memphis Rite constituted under Jacques Etienne Marconi de Nègre as a counterpart to Mizraim. In him parts of the Egyptian and alchemical mythology as well as temple generic design influences. Under the tenure of Louis Philippe, the work of the Rite from 1841 to 1848 was decommissioned. From 1856 the Memphis Rite summarized in the USA walk. Similar to the Mizraim, one revolutionary forces also found here in the lodges. With the fall of the Paris Commune in 1871, there was also a decline in membership of the lodges in France.

The merging

1881, the Italian freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi was Grand Master of both Obödienzien. Through him, ultimately, the two high- level systems were matched and merged. 1872 saw the establishment of a Sovereign Grand Lodge of Memphis and Mizraim Rite Freemason John Yarker through. On September 24, 1902, constituted the German Grand Lodge of Memphis - Mizraim rite of short time later the OTO seceded. The founding members of the German Memphis - Mizraim were Theodor Reuss, Franz Hartmann and Henry Klein. Today, the rite in Germany is no longer processed. Worldwide, there are according to the manual of Freemasonry of the research group Alpina Lausanne from 2002 about 7000 members, spread over countries like France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela and Australia.