Rite of Memphis-Misraim

The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm is a masonic rite combining esoteric spirituality with humanitarian ideals. Created in Naples in September 1881, it emerged from the fusion of two distinct masonic systems: the Rite of Misraïm, established in Venice in the late 18th century and brought to France in 1814 by the Bédarride brothers, and the Rite of Memphis, founded by Jacques-Étienne Marconis de Nègre in 1838. The rite is commonly known as "Egyptian Freemasonry" due to its extensive use of hermetic philosophy and Ancient Egyptian symbolism in its degree system and rituals.
Initially led by Giuseppe Garibaldi, the military leader of Italian unification, as its first Grand Hierophant, the rite developed an international presence under subsequent leaders including John Yarker (1902–1913) and Theodor Reuss (1913–1923). While centralized international governance ceased after Reuss's death, national organizations continued independently, particularly in France. There, under successive Grand Masters including Jean Bricaud, Constant Chevillon, and notably Robert Ambelain – who significantly reformed its rituals in 1960 – the rite maintained and developed its distinctive tradition.
The rite is characterized by an elaborate degree system historically ranging from 90 to 99 degrees, though many of these are honorary. It emphasizes both esoteric study and social progress, combining spiritual development through hermetic and kabbalistic teachings with humanitarian ideals. Through various schisms and reorganizations, the rite maintains active lodges in several countries today under different obediences, including the Grand Orient de France since 1862.
The Rite of Memphis-Misraim has a broad presence across the Masonic world, being practiced by various types of Grand Lodges representing both conservative and liberal traditions of Freemasonry. Several Grand Lodges recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) incorporate this rite into their work,. The rite is also actively worked in lodges under the Grand Orient de France (GODF) and various Grand Lodges that maintain recognition with GODF. Additionally, multiple member organizations of CLIPSAS (Centre de Liaison et d'Information des Puissances maçonniques Signataires de l'Appel de Strasbourg) have embraced this rite. Its practice extends beyond these major Masonic bodies to include numerous independent Grand Lodges worldwide, showcasing its widespread adoption across both conservative and liberal branches of Freemasonry.
The Egyptian Masonic rites, with a history spanning over 200 years, claim descent from a Primitive Rite allegedly practiced in Paris in 1721, though this lineage has never been historically verified. They also trace their heritage to the Primitive Rite of the Philadelphians established in Narbonne in 1779. The historical complexity of these rites stems from their unique characteristics: Masonic legitimacy was primarily transmitted through leadership "charters," leaders were appointed for life until 1998, and their minority status within global Masonry has resulted in relatively scarce documentation compared to other Masonic traditions.
In late 18th-century France, several initiatic rites and orders emerged, each claiming inheritance from ancient non-Masonic mystical currents. The African Architects appeared in 1767, followed by the Primitive Rite of the Philadelphians in 1780, the Rite of Perfect Initiates of Egypt in 1785, the Sacred Order of the Sophisians in 1801, and the Friends of the Desert in 1806. These organizations drew inspiration from what they termed the "Egyptian tradition," synthesizing various contemporary understandings of ancient wisdom. The intellectual foundation of these rites was built upon several influential texts, including Abbé Jean Terrasson's "Sethos" (1731), Athanasius Kircher's "Oedipus aegyptiacus" (1652), and Antoine Court de Gébelin's "Primitive World" (1773). These works were complemented by elements from Judeo-Christian Kabbalah, Neoplatonic Hermeticism, and various esoteric and chivalric traditions.
The first documented French Misraïm lodge was established in Paris during 1814–1815 by the Bédarride brothers – Marc, Michel, and Joseph – who were middle-ranking officers in Napoleon's Italian army. Having brought the rite from Naples, they established what would become a significant presence in French Masonry. Historical research indicates the rite originated in the Republic of Venice, possibly stemming from a patent issued by Joseph Balsamo, better known as Cagliostro, before spreading through the Franco-Italian lodges of the Kingdom of Naples. The Bédarride brothers' system and charters gained support from prominent Masons, including Thory and Count Muraire, who connected them with Scottish Rite Masons. However, financial difficulties following the end of the Empire led the brothers to commercialize their rite, causing some members to withdraw and unsuccessfully seek admission to the Grand Orient de France's "Grand Consistory" in 1816. The rite faced significant challenges in 1822 when it was banned by the Restoration police after being used as a cover for liberal and republican political networks. Authorities closed approximately ten lodges and confiscated many archives, portions of which remain in the French National Archives. Though the rite received permission to reconstitute under the July Monarchy in 1831, only four Parisian lodges successfully reformed.
Jean Étienne Marconis de Nègre (1795–1868) established the Rite of Memphis shortly before 1838 after being expelled from the Misraïm Rite. As Grand Master and Grand Hierophant of his new order, Marconis developed a system that, while never exceeding five or six lodges in 19th-century France, successfully expanded to the United States, Romania, and Egypt. The rite faced opposition in 1841 when, following denunciation by the Bédarride brothers, it was banned in France due to its alleged republican sympathies. In 1862, responding to Marshall Magnan's call for Masonic unity in France, Marconis negotiated the merger of his rite with the Grand Orient de France. This merger would have significant implications for the rite's future development and international expansion.
The Grand College of Rites of the Grand Orient de France, having become the custodian of the Memphis Rite, officially recognized the Sovereign Sanctuary of Memphis in the United States. Under Seymour's Grand Mastership, this body established numerous lodges both within the United States and internationally, including a Sovereign Sanctuary for Great Britain and Ireland under John Yarker. A pivotal moment occurred in 1881 when Yarker exchanged charters with Pessina's Reformed Misraïm Rite under the aegis of Giuseppe Garibaldi, who became the Grand Hierophant of the unified "Memphis and Misraïm" rites. Following Garibaldi's death, Yarker assumed leadership of the combined rites.
In France, Dr. Gérard Encausse, better known as Papus, emerged as a significant figure in esoteric Masonry at the turn of the 20th century. As founder of the Martinist Order and an opponent of the Grand Orient de France, Papus sought to advance esoteric Masonic traditions. After unsuccessful attempts to join both the Grand Lodge Misraïmite and the Grand Lodge of France, he obtained a patent from Yarker to establish a Swedenborgian lodge. His influence grew significantly in 1906 when Yarker authorized him to constitute a Grand Lodge, and in 1908, Théodore Reuss permitted him to establish the lodge "Humanidad," which became the Ancient and Primitive Oriental Rite of Memphis-Misraïm in France. Following Papus's leadership, a succession of notable figures guided the rite through the early 20th century. Teder (Charles Détré) served as Grand Master from 1916 to 1918, followed by Jean Bricaud from 1918 to 1934. Constant Chevillon then assumed leadership until his tragic assassination by the French Militia in 1944. Henri-Charles Dupont subsequently led the order from 1945 to 1960.
A significant transformation of the rite occurred under Robert Ambelain, who assumed direction in 1960. Ambelain undertook a comprehensive reform of the rituals and renamed his obedience the "French Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm." His tenure marked a period of substantial development and systematization of the rite's practices. In 1985, Ambelain transmitted his succession to Gérard Kloppel, initiating a new phase in the rite's history.
The dissolution of the French Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm began to take shape in 1995. Several fundamental issues contributed to this fragmentation, including debates over lodge gender integration, the independence of the first three degrees' workshops from those of the higher degrees, lifetime leadership appointments, and the distinction between rite and obedience. These tensions culminated in a significant crisis following the creation of a mixed Egyptian "path" in 1997. The definitive break occurred on January 24, 1998, when the obedience split into two branches. One faction formed the Symbolic Grand Lodge of France under Georges Claude Vieilledent's leadership, while the other remained loyal to Gérard Kloppel under the name French Male Grand Lodge of Memphis Misraïm. Following this division, Kloppel created the Traditional Grand Lodge of Memphis-Misraim by patent of March 15, 1998, then on May 5, 1998 transmitted his office of World Grand Master to Cheikna Sylla. He will remain in the Traditional Grand Lodge of Memphis-Misraïm as a simple member until 2007. The original French Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm was ultimately dissolved by the Créteil tribunal.
As of 2012, approximately 175 lodges in France worked with the Memphis-Misraïm Rite, with 40 operating within the Grand Orient de France. The rite maintains a unique characteristic in Masonic practice: its filiation can be transmitted through a single individual, male or female, once they achieve certain degrees (90th for Misraïm, 95th for Memphis-Misraïm). This feature has led to both flexibility in establishing new branches and challenges in verifying legitimacy. In addition to organized lodges, there exists an undetermined number of independent lodges practicing Egyptian rites, including a research and study lodge in Paris that has revived Marconis de Nègre's 1838 ritual. The rite continues to be practiced by numerous obediences worldwide, maintaining its distinctive focus on Egyptian cultural elements and the relationship between humanity and the sacred.
The Egyptian rites fundamentally differ from other Masonic traditions in their deep connection to Egyptian culture, particularly focusing on humanity's relationship with the sacred. They preserve the ancient Egyptian distinction between "true" and "real," attempting to revive ancient mysteries within a Masonic framework. This philosophical approach has helped maintain the rite's unique character while adapting to modern Masonic practice. The contemporary practice of Memphis-Misraïm continues to reflect this philosophical heritage, emphasizing both esoteric knowledge and practical wisdom. The rite maintains its position as a unique bridge between ancient Egyptian mysteries and modern Masonic tradition, though its practice has evolved significantly from its 18th and 19th-century origins.
The traditional 99 degrees of the rite.
As practiced at the Grand Orient de France following the 1862 fusion agreement by Marconis de Nègre.
Some of the most prominent figures in European occultism have been associated with the Rite, including the Frenchmen Gerard Encausse (Papus), Charles Detré (Teder), Jean Bricaud, Constant Chevillon, Charles-Henry Dupont and Robert Ambelain, and the Italians Giuliano Kremmerz and Giustiniano Lebano. As shown, Michael Bertiaux has also been a major, though pragmatically quiet, major figure in the Rite. The National Grand Master in Germany from 1906 to 1914 was Rudolf Steiner, and the founder of the Thule Society, Adam Alfred Rudolf Glauer (Rudolf von Sebottendorf), became an initiate while living in Turkey. The German founder of the Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua, Arnold Krumm-Heller, was also associated. Aleister Crowley, was at one time affiliated with the rite in its shortened version used by Ordo Templi Orientis. In the United States, Harvey Spencer Lewis, founder of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, AMORC, was also associated with the rite.