Why Do We Say "So Mote It Be?"

24 May 24

Masons say ‘So Mote It Be’ at the end of a prayer. What is its origin?

This expression really constitutes a masonic ‘amen’ and was first found in the Regius Poem of about 1390 and again in the famous Cooke manuscript of about 1400. Both these sources conclude a section of the Old Charges with ‘Amen, amen, so mote hyt it be – so saye we all for charity’, thus ‘may it be so’ or ‘so shall it be’.

Mote is derived from an old Anglo-Saxon word motan whose general meaning was ‘to be allowed’. Amen is originally Hebrew with a range of meanings related to fidelity, consistency and trust.

The two do not have the same original meanings but have virtually acquired them over centuries of use. In England, the preference is for ‘Amen’ at Grace before refreshment after a ceremony and ‘So mote it be’ within the lodge room as indicated by the ritual. In Australia, ‘So Mote It Be’ is used in the lodge room and either at Grace.