Book excerpt: For those who are captivated by the Freemasons, Freemason Symbols & Ceremonies For Dummies takes you into the world of this secret Fraternal organization, explaining all things mysterioud from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites, to its curious symbols and their meanings. Brought to you by the author of Freemasons For Dummies, readers will get the inside scoop on what goes on in a Masonic meeting, what's behind that secret hand shake, and why Masons wear aprons. You'll understand the true purposes of Masonic "secrecy" and philosophy and discover related organizations like the Knights Templar, the Scottish Rite, and other York Rite Bodies. Explore the controversies and conspiracy theories that swirl around this organization and discover the cool Masonic sites at the center of Dan Brown's bestselling novel The Lost Symbol.