Members of a secret fraternal organization with elaborate rituals, symbolism, and codes, supposedly descended from medieval stone masons and dedicated to mutual help and self-improvement.
From 'free' (not bound to a feudal lord) and 'mason' (stone worker). Medieval craftsmen who traveled freely between jobs evolved into a philosophical society by the 1600s, especially in Scotland and England.
Freemasons were historically persecuted and disappeared in some countries (especially Catholic ones), but survived in Britain and America where they influenced the U.S. Constitution—and the fact that they inspired wild conspiracy theories shows how powerful symbolism and secrecy are.
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