what is mason

A Mason, or Freemason, is a member of a fraternity known as Freemasonry, which is the world's oldest and largest fraternity. It is comprised of adult men of good character from every country, religion, race, age, income, and opinion. Freemasonry traces its origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. Modern Freemasonry consists of two main recognition groups: Regular Freemasonry and Continental Freemasonry. The basic, local organizational unit of Freemasonry is the Lodge, and the degrees of Freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. Members of any of these degrees are known as Freemasons or Masons