Many people -- including some Freemasons -- say it's a Masonic symbol ... Over the years it has been suggested that it refers to the 33rd degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

But a few member lists survived — and they name some of the most influential people throughout ... scholars agree the hierarchy of Freemasonry includes 33 degrees. Freemasons begin as Entered ...

The one thing that is public about the masons is their member list -- and some of the most powerful people in the world ... Simón Bolívar was a 33rd degree mason South American liberator and ...

Welcome to the world of Freemasonry ... "the third degree" (and yes, that's where the phrase comes from), you can join any number of Masonic off-shoots. Take Brent Morris. He's a 33rd degree ...

"People wear funny hats all the time ... piercing would have to be a very private piercing," he says. "Only 33rd-degree Masons would know where that piercing occurs." He bursts out laughing ...

Pennell of Saylorsburg and Earl A. Deibert of Orwigsburg were among 152 Scottish Rite Masons recently elected to receive the 33rd Degree Mason at the 184th annual session of the Supreme Council of ...

But a few member lists survived - and they name some of the most influential people throughout history ... most scholars agree the hierarchy of Freemasonry includes 33 degrees.