In Search of the Preservation of Western Identity: The Early Stage of Development of Freemasonry in China (19th and Early 20th Centuries)

Abstract

This research focuses on the early period of the development of Freemasonry in China in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as this period was characterized by the establishing of a dozen lodges under English, Scottish, Massachusetts, Philippine Constitution. While Freemasonry had no decisive influence on politics or the economy of China, it acted as a major force for the consolidation of foreigners, especially in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, contributing to preserve the “oasis” of Western traditions in a foreign cultural environment, creating new trans-Asian business relations between business members of lodges. The membership of each lodge was not high in numbers, however they included representatives of different strata, but above all - entrepreneurs and traders. Charity and support of freemasons’ families became an important part of the lodges’ activities. However, by the 1920s-1930s, the “colonial” character of Freemasonry began eroding, and since some Shanghai lodges contained mostly Chinese members, local freemasons even raised the suggestion of conducting rituals in Chinese.