Magic of the Mark

  The Mark degree is only one of two Masonic orders to deal with actual stonemasons working. The ceremony of Advancement follows the fate of an ambitious Fellow Craft seeking promotion in his trade by demonstrating his skill and ability

In the first part of the Ceremony a candidate is made a Mark Man,and acknowledged as someone who is starting his Masonic career in the quarries.
 
Masonic tradition informs us that at the building of the Temple every Mason was given a Mark,by which his work would be identified by his superiors or Overseers.
 
During this part of the ceremony the candidate needs to prove himself a Master Mason,he then chooses a Mark and so begins his apprenticeship in preparing work for the temple.
 
Know doubt many of you have seen stonemasons marks on stones in old church’s, cathedrals and castles etc. This is similar too and represents those Masons
 
By the aid of these Marks an Overseer or (Mark Masters) were able to trace any defective work to the workman concerned,as well as pay his wages.
 
In operative Masonry a Mark Master Mason was entitled to preside (supervise) over a Lodge of operative Masons ( Craftsmen). Each Craftsman had a personal Mark which,when engraved on each stone he had prepared served to identify his work was worthy of reward (payment).
 
In speculative Freemasonry however, the degree of Mark Master Mason is conferred on candidates who in England or Wales have already been Raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.
 
During the Ceremony of Advancement the candidate is given a Mark by the Register of Marks, which is as unique as his own signature, and will be registered with Grand Lodge and it will be used to identify him, it is also shown on his Grand Lodge Certificate. 

Pictured below are photographs of a Mark Master Masons personal "Mark".
These pictures are taken from the Temple wall at Colvin Memorial Temple, Clacton on Sea, where there over 30 such "Marks" are on display.