Mason Ride The Goat: Unraveling The Myth, Symbolism, And Reality Of Freemasonry's Most Persistent Legend
Have you ever wondered what it truly means when someone says a mason ride the goat? This peculiar phrase, whispered with a mix of curiosity and mischief, has clung to the fabric of Freemasonry for centuries, painting a picture of bizarre, secretive rituals. But is there any truth to it? The journey to answer this question takes us through ancient mythology, 19th-century pranks, the profound symbolism of Masonic initiation, and the very real history of one of the world's oldest fraternal organizations. Let's separate sensational myth from meaningful tradition.
The Enigmatic Phrase: Origin of a Persistent Legend
Riding the goat is a phrase often associated with masonic initiation ceremonies, leading to much speculation and curiosity about its origins and significance. To the uninitiated, it conjures images of a hooded figure awkwardly straddling a live animal in a dimly lit lodge room. This popular belief has often identified masonic initiation with the riding of a goat, but the reality is far more nuanced and historically interesting. But where, or when did the expression originate?From whence came the curious belief that in the making of a mason, the candidate must ride upon the goat?
The answer lies not in the solemn rituals of craft Freemasonry, but in the world of theatrical hazing and humorous fraternal pranks. This phrase, steeped in humour and myth, refers not to masonic initiation rituals but to early fraternal societies’ hazing devices crafted by de moulin bros for light‑hearted trials, a humorous invention that unfairly shadowed genuine masonic initiation ceremonies. The DeMoulin brothers, founders of the DeMoulin Bros. & Co. company in the late 1800s, were manufacturers of elaborate, often terrifying, initiation paraphernalia for college fraternities and other societies. Their catalog featured a now-infamous "Goat Riding" device—a mechanical contraption where a candidate would be strapped to a mock goat and made to "ride" it as other members hooted and performed mock rituals. This was pure, staged theatre designed to frighten and embarrass neophytes in a fraternal initiation context.
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Goat riding is one of those superstitions that permeates most every corner of fraternal initiation. Not exclusively a masonic institution, goat riding or making candidates “ride the goat” has been an aspect of hazing fueled initiation meant to scare and embarrass neophytes and initiates joining the institution. Because Freemasonry is the most famous and secretive fraternal body, the public naturally associated this common hazing gag with its ceremonies. The secrecy surrounding Masonic degrees only fueled the fire of speculation, allowing the "riding the goat" myth to flourish and become inextricably, and incorrectly, linked to the Craft.
Ancient Roots: The Goat in Mythology and Symbolism
To understand why the goat specifically became the animal of choice for this mythical ritual, we must look far beyond 18th-century England. Despite its enigmatic nature, the concept of “riding the goat” can be traced back to ancient superstitions and symbolism surrounding the mythical god Pan. In ancient Greek mythology, Pan—the god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks—was depicted as a man with the legs, horns, and beard of a goat. He represented untamed nature, rustic music, and primal sexuality. To "ride" such a creature could symbolically mean to be carried by or to master these raw, untamed forces of nature within oneself.
This symbolism evolved and merged with later occult traditions. The goat of mendes or baphomet whom the templars were accused of worshipping is a goat headed deity, being formed of both male and female principles, with a caduceus of mercury for its phallus. One arm points up and one down, with the latin 'solve et coagula' written on them. The Baphomet, popularized by 19th-century occultist Éliphas Lévi, became a powerful symbol of duality, equilibrium, and the union of opposites—a concept deeply resonant with Masonic allegory. This symbolic “ride” is meant to represent the individual’s journey towards enlightenment and higher masonic knowledge. In this light, "riding the goat" could be interpreted as a crude public misunderstanding of a profound internal journey: the candidate's symbolic conquest of base instincts (the goat) to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
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The Reality of Masonic Initiation: Degrees and Symbolism
So, what actually happens during a Masonic initiation? Riding the goat is a symbolic ritual in freemasonry that is traditionally performed during the initiation of a new mason. This statement, while commonly believed, requires immediate clarification. There is no physical goat, nor any mechanical device, used in any regular, recognized Masonic lodge under the jurisdiction of a legitimate Grand Lodge. The "ride" is entirely symbolic, embedded within the allegorical lessons of the degrees.
The three degrees of freemasonry are entered apprentice, fellow craft, and master mason. They are loosely based upon the journeyman system, which was used to educate medieval craftsmen. Symbolically, the degrees represent the three stages of human development. The initiation into the Entered Apprentice degree is the candidate's first step, a symbolic journey from darkness (ignorance) to light (knowledge). The allegories, signs, and tokens taught are designed to impart moral lessons. The concept of a "trial" or "test" is central, but it is a trial of character and intellect, not a physical stunt. Need i relate the most obvious use of the goat known to all master masons? Within the rich tapestry of Masonic symbolism, the goat does appear, but in a specific, learned context—often as a symbol of diligence, stubbornness, or the untamed nature that must be guided, not as a literal riding animal.
Once the craft degrees have been conferred upon a mason, he is qualified to join various concordant bodies which offer additional degrees. These organisations are usually administered separately from the grand lodges who administer the craft degrees. This structure is important. The core Blue Lodge (Craft) degrees are where the foundational allegories, including any symbolic references to animals or trials, are taught. Appendant bodies like the Scottish Rite or York Rite build upon this foundation. The "riding the goat" myth is almost always erroneously attached to the first, foundational degree.
The Pillars of Freemasonry: History, Values, and Modern Presence
To fully appreciate the context, we must understand what Freemasonry is. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that has been around for centuries, with a rich history and tradition. It is a society that prides itself on its values of brotherhood, charity, and truth, and its members are expected to uphold these values in their everyday lives.Masons (also known as freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than two million freemasons in north america. Masons represent virtually every occupation and profession, yet within the fraternity, all meet as equals. Masons come from diverse political ideologies, yet meet as friends.
National organized freemasonry began in 1717 with the founding of the grand lodge—an association of masonic lodges—in england. However, freemason societies have existed for much longer. The most popular theory is that freemasonry emerged out of the stonemasonry guilds of the middle ages. These operative guilds, tasked with building cathedrals and castles, developed a system of signs, words, and grips to identify skilled craftsmen and protect their trade secrets. As cathedral building declined, these "speculative" Masons—gentlemen who were not operative stoneworkers—were admitted, transforming the guilds into the philosophical and charitable fraternity we know today. The meaning of mason is a skilled worker who builds by laying units of substantial material (such as stone or brick). The speculative Mason builds not with stone, but with character, using the "tools" of morality and virtue.
Based on the belief that each man can make a difference in the world, freemasonry enhances and strengthens the character of the individual man by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and education. This is the core mission. Learn about freemasonry, the history of the fraternity, what happens in a masonic lodge, and how to become a mason. A Masonic lodge meeting is a structured affair involving ritualistic degrees, business, and often educational presentations. Charity is a cornerstone, with Masonic organizations supporting a wide array of causes, from children's hospitals to scholarship funds. We are an innovative and inclusive academic community committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. While this specific mission statement belongs to George Mason University (a large public research university in Virginia serving over 40,000 students), it echoes the universal Masonic principles of personal development and societal contribution. The university, named for Founding Father and Mason George Mason, serves as a modern, secular institution embodying enlightenment values, a stark contrast to the fraternal, ritualistic world of the Masonic lodge.
Why the Myth Persists: Psychology and Pop Culture
It is, alas, sufficiently easy to understand why the idea persists. Several factors converge to keep the "mason ride the goat" myth alive. First, the very nature of Masonic initiation involves secrecy and symbolic allegory. To an outsider, a closed door and whispered terms are fertile ground for wild imagination. Second, the historical use of hazing devices like the DeMoulin goat created a tangible "proof" that could be (and was) misattributed. Third, the goat itself is a powerful, ambivalent symbol in Western culture—associated with both the scapegoat (An animal who leads the others to slaughter now commonly used to refer to the unwitting victim of some malice) and with occultism (Baphomet). This makes it perfect for sensationalist stories.
Pop culture has had a field day with the trope. From cheap 19th-century "exposé" pamphlets to modern TV shows and internet memes, the image of a Mason "riding the goat" is a shorthand for "secret, weird fraternity ritual." It’s a compelling story that sells books and clicks, even though it bears no resemblance to the actual, dignified ceremonies of the Craft. This tradition can be seen in the knights templer who would ride horses but two knights to one horse, thus representing their clerical origins. This historical example shows how symbolic acts (two Templars on one horse signifying poverty) can be misunderstood by outsiders as literal, bizarre requirements. The same process happened with the Masonic "goat."
Conclusion: Separating Sensation from Substance
The phrase "mason ride the goat" is a fascinating cultural artifact. It is a superstition born from the collision of theatrical fraternity hazing, ancient and potent symbolism, and the natural human tendency to sensationalize the secrets of exclusive groups. The DeMoulin brothers' humorous invention cast a long, misleading shadow over the genuine, symbolic journey of a Masonic candidate.
The true meaning of the "ride" within a Masonic context is an internal, allegorical one: the candidate's symbolic effort to control and direct his own lower nature (represented by the stubborn, instinctual goat) as he embarks on the path of enlightenment and moral improvement outlined in the three degrees of Freemasonry. This journey, from Entered Apprentice to Master Mason, is about building a spiritual temple within oneself, not about performing a physical stunt.
So, the next time you hear someone ask, "Do Masons really ride a goat?" you can provide a complete answer. You can explain the DeMoulin prank, the ancient symbolism of Pan and Baphomet, and the profound, character-building allegories of the Masonic degrees. You can clarify that while the fraternal initiation rituals of the world's oldest fraternity are indeed rich with symbol and meaning, they are grounded in a serious pursuit of brotherhood, charity, and truth—a pursuit far removed from the barnyard farce the myth suggests. The real "ride" is the lifelong journey of a Mason striving to make a difference in the world, one virtuous act at a time.
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