MASONIC CALENDAR

 

Freemasons, in affixing dates to their official documents, have a calendar peculiar to themselves, differing according to various Rites.

 

ORDER TIME TO ADD OR SUBTRACT NAME ABBREVIATION EXAMPLE  MORE INFORMATION
Blue Lodge Add 4,000 years to the Christian era ANNO LUCIS -YEAR OF THE LIGHT A. L.  For A. D. 1930, it would be: A. L. 5930 This is not for the reason that they believe Freemasonry to be coeval with creation, but because of its symbolic reference to the Light of Masonry.  
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Add 3760 years to the Christian era ANNO MUNDI, year of the world, A.M For A. D. 1930,  5690 The Jewish calendar is used.  Sometimes the Hebrew year is used, which begins on the first of the month Tisri, corresponding to September 17th, V. E., using the initials A. H. ANNO HEBRAICO-Hebrew year.  
Royal Arch Add 530 to the Christian era ANNO INVENTIONIS, the year of the Discovery.   A. I. For A. D. 1930, it would be A. I. 2460,  Date from the year in which Zerubbabel began to build the Second 'Temple,
Add 1913 to the Christian era ANNO BENEFACIO A.B. For A.D. 1930 it would be A.B. 3843 Anno Benefacio is the "Year of Blessing" of Abraham by Melchizedek.
Royal and Select Masters Add 1,000 to the Christian era ANNO DEPOSITIONIS, the year of the Deposit.   A. Dep. For A. D. 1930, it would be A. Dep. 2930, When not using the common Masonic date, ANNO LUCIS, date from the year in which King Solomon's Temple was completed.
Knights Templar  Subtract 1118 from the present year. ANNO ORDINIS, in the year of the Order.  A.O.  For A.D. 1930, it would be A.O. 812 Date from the organization of the order-A. D. 1118.