Masonic Systems of Dates

Masonic dating systems can be confusing. Americans customarily use a dating system with the designations B.C. or A.D. B.C. means “Before Christ” and the years count downward to the year 1 B.C. and then upward from the following year, 1 A.D. A.D. means “Anno Domini” [ANN-o DOM-ee-nee] which is Latin for “Year of the Lord.” You will also find the same dates referred to as B.C.E. “Before the Common Era” and C.E. “Common Era.” The defining event which marks the difference between B.C. and A.D. dates is the birth of Christ. Various Masonic groups use different systems of dates, which are explained below.

About dots. For many centuries, scribes had used a series of dots to indicate that letters, words, or sentences had been omitted in a text. There was no agreement as to the number, and it ranged from about 3 dots to several rows of dots. At roughly the 9th Century, the time when the letters in the titles of this sheet were designed, such an omission of letters or words (called an ellipsis) was “standardized” to three dots. e.g. “Mary had a . . . lamb”

In the 1700's the tradition changed somewhat. For letters omitted in a single word, one dot was more commonly used. A. . . D. . . became A.D. For some uses including Masonry, however, the three dots remained, but the middle dot was raised, forming a figure known as a trigon (ˆ). The trigon is used in formal Masonic abbreviation. Right Worshipful is usually shown as RˆWˆ. A.D. is usually shown as AˆDˆ. By the way, the use of the trigon is not “required,” just customary.

Here are the dating systems used by the different Masonic bodies. NOTE: until the late 1800's it was believed by most Christians that the universe and world were created 4,000 years before the birth of Christ. That number will become significant.

Blue Lodge or Craft Masonry Craft Masonry uses the Anno Lucis [ANN-o LUKE-is] date, abbreviated AˆLˆ Anno Lucis is Latin for “The Year of Light.” The defining event is the moment God said, “Let there be Light.”

Since it was believed that the universe was created 4,000 years before the Birth of Christ, add 4,000 to the AˆDˆ date to get the AˆLˆ date. AˆDˆ 2015 = AˆLˆ 6015

Scottish Rite The Scottish Rite uses the Anno Mundi [ANN-o MOON-dee] date, abbreviated AˆMˆ Anno Mundi is Latin for “Year of the World” which is the same dating system as the Jewish calendar. The Jewish belief was that the world was created 3,760 years before the first year of the Common Era.

To calculate the Anno Mundi date, add 3,760 to the AˆDˆ date if it is before September. If it is September or after, add 3,761. June 5, AˆDˆ 2015 = June 5, AˆMˆ 5775 October 8, AˆDˆ 2015 = October 8, AˆMˆ 5776 Royal Arch The Royal Arch Degrees of the York Rite use the Anno Inventionis [ANN-o In-ven-tee-OH-neese] date, abbreviated AˆIˆ Anno Inventionis is Latin for “Year of Discovery” and refers to the building of the Second Temple by Zerubbabel. To calculate the AˆIˆ date, add 530 to the AˆDˆ date. AˆDˆ 2015 = AˆIˆ 2545

Royal and Select Masters The Cryptic Masons of the York Rite use the Anno Depositionis [ANN- o Day-poe-see-tee-OH-neese] date, abbreviated AˆDˆ Anno Depositionis is Latin for “Year of the Deposit.” It refers to the completion of King Solomon’s Temple. To calculate the Anno Depositionis date, add 1,000 to the Anno Domini date. Hence AˆDˆ 2015 = AˆDˆ 3015.

Knights Templar The Knights Templar of the York Rite use the Anno Ordinis [ANN-o Or-DEE-neese] date, abbreviated AˆOˆ Anno Ordinis means “Year of [the foundation of] the Order.” It refers to the establishment of the medieval Knights Templar.

To calculate the AˆOˆ date, subtract 1118 from the AˆDˆ date. AˆDˆ 2015 = AˆOˆ 897

Order of High Priesthood The Order of High Priesthood uses the Anno Benedacionis [ANN-o Bay-nay-day-see-OH-neese] date, abbreviated AˆBˆ Anno Benedacionis means “Year of the Blessing” and refers to the blessing of Abraham by the High Priest Melchizedek. To calculate the AˆBˆ date, add 1,913 to the AˆDˆ date. AˆDˆ 2015 = AˆBˆ 3928.

Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests The Order uses the Anno Renascent [ANN-o Ray-nay-SONT] date, abbreviated AˆRˆ. Anno Renascent means “Year of Rebirth” and refers to the belief that the Order was revived in AˆDˆ 1686.

To calculate the AˆRˆ date, subtract 1,686 from the AˆDˆ date. AˆDˆ 2015 = AˆRˆ 329