Freemasons celebrate centenary with exhibition and new insights into Finnish Brotherhood in Helsinki

The Finnish central organization of Freemasons, known as the Grand Lodge, celebrates its centenary this year. Freemasonry, a movement that originated during the Enlightenment, aims to help its members become better individuals through various rituals and symbols. The organization has long been shrouded in mystery, sparking intrigue and feeding numerous beliefs, rumors, and conspiracy theories.

During this jubilee year, Freemasonry has been showcased in an exhibition at the National Archives in Helsinki and in a new non-fiction book. Here are five lesser-known facts about this enigmatic brotherhood. The insights are derived from researcher Samu Nyström, who authored “More Light – The History of Finnish Freemasons,” alongside Heikki Hakala, the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Finland.

1. **Two Secrets Only:** Since the 1980s, Freemasons have aimed to promote transparency. Currently, there are only two real secrets: the exact content of their rituals and the identities of living members. Rituals are described as deeply experiential, not fully explained by words alone.

2. **Women Cannot Be Freemasons:** Each country has its own independent grand lodge, with no overarching international authority. The original 18th-century rules stipulate that members must be male, a structure that remains unchanged, according to Nyström.

3. **Anyone Can Establish a Masonic Organization:** Freemasonry is not a strictly defined entity or trademark. In fact, many organizations worldwide claim to be Freemasons. Finland alone has four additional Masonic groups that are unrelated to the Grand Lodge.

4. **Members Can Represent Any Religion:** Freemasonry allows members from various faiths, as long as they believe in a higher power, though it doesn’t specify which deity.

5. **Conspiracy Theories Have Persisted for Centuries:** Many conspiracy theories associated with Freemasons have remained relatively unchanged since the 1700s. Nyström’s research highlights a fascinating connection: both Freemasonry and conspiracy theorists seek to understand the complexities of the world, utilizing rich imaginative narratives.