Meridian Chapter U.D., Royal Arch Masons of Oregon

Royal Arch Masonry usually refers to a Degree, or System of Degrees, in the York or American Rite of Freemasonry. When referring to the entire System of Degrees these are sometimes called the Capitular Degrees. All Masons begin their initiatic journey by receiving the Degrees of Entered Apprentice Mason, Fellow Craft Mason, and Master Mason in a Symbolic Lodge. These three foundational degrees are known as the Craft Degrees.

When the "Antients" and "Moderns" Grand Lodges in England came together in 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England, the Articles of Union stated: "It is declared and pronounced that pure Ancient Masonry consists of three degrees, and no more, viz., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch."

Put simply, the Master Mason Degree depicts the loss of the Word, and the Royal Arch depicts its eventual recovery. As a result of the compromise between the "Antients" and "Moderns," the legend of the Royal Arch became somewhat estranged from the Master Mason Degree, and in American Masonry, the Royal Arch has developed into a system of Degrees that are conferred upon Master Masons who wish to further their Masonic knowledge. While the Royal Arch is referred to as a Degree, it does not stand on its own, and is in reality the third act of the Master Mason Degree, completing the Legend which was abruptly cut short in the ceremonies of the Blue Lodge. Because of this, there is an argument to be made that one is not truly a Master Mason until he has recovered the Word in the Royal Arch.