About the Royal Ark Mariner Degree

The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariner, commonly known as ‘RAM’, has been under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons since 1871 and is governed by the Grand Master’s Royal Ark Council. Its early history is obscure. Statutes refer to Grand Lodge being reconstituted in 1772. It is recorded that the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons took possession of the rights to the Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner on 10 June 1884 for just £25. RAM Lodges are attached, or
moored, to Mark Lodges and assume their Number in the Roll. In chronological terms, RAM precedes the Mark by hundreds of years because it relates to the building and voyage of Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood. It has none of the other characters that we meet in Freemasonry.

Membership of this unique and independent Fraternity is restricted to Brethren who are already Mark Master Masons. It is the only Order in Freemasonry requiring membership of the Mark Degree alone. On entry to the Fraternity, there is one relatively short ceremony which is called an ‘Elevation’. The regalia worn is amongst the most attractive in the whole landscape of Freemasonry being symbolically composed of rainbow colours.

The Fraternity is more than just another Masonic Degree. There is a very different ‘feel’ about this Degree which is difficult to explain. However, members would say that there is a very real bond of fellowship which exists amongst Royal Ark Mariners and that is one of the core aspects of the Fraternity. Should you choose to join a RAM Lodge, you will most certainly receive the warmest of welcomes.