The Thirty-third Degree is conferred by the Supreme Council upon members of the Rite in recognition of outstanding service to the Rite, or, in public life, to the principles taught in the Degrees. The 33° or KCCH cannot be asked for and if asked for must be refused. At its biennial session the Supreme Council elects members of the Rite to receive the Degree. These 33° Masons are Inspectors General honorary and honorary members of the Supreme Council. The active members of the Supreme Council are chosen from among them.

At its biennial session certain 32° Masons who have attained the age of 35 years and have been 32° Masons at least 4 years, who have rendered signal service to the Rite, are chosen to receive the Rank and Decoration of Knights Commander of the Court of Honour. The decoration is conferred in a very impressive Ceremony of investiture in the local Bodies. This is a rank and decoration and not a degree. ‘The members who hold it are designated 32° KCCH. A member must be a KCCH for at least four years before he can be nominated for election to receive the 33°.

CAPS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

As the White Lambskin is the Badge of a Mason, so is the regulation cap the badge of a Scottish Rite Mason

A purple cap indicates that the wearer is a 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General and Active Member of the Supreme Council. A white cap indicates a 33° Inspector General Honorary. A red cap means 32° Knight Commander of the Court of Honour (KCCH). A light blue cap means that the wearer has been a Scottish Rite Mason for fifty years or more. A black cap indicates that the wearer has attained the 32°.

The Supreme Council has set forth a rule for the correct wearing of the cap. When wearing a cap it shall be considered to be a part of the apparel of the wearer and shall not be removed.

At the presentation of the flag, the cap shall remain in place, and the members shall stand at attention with the right hand over the heart.

During prayer, the cap shall remain in place and the hands and arms shall be crossed as in the 18°. The wearing of caps is considered proper at Reunions, Scottish Rite meetings. Maundy Thursday services, etc.

It is improper for the cap to be worn in cafes, bus stations, on the street, or in any other public place.