There are three stages to becoming a fully- fledged Freemason, all based on the ancient hierarchy of the stonemason’s guilds. These are the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. Each level has its own special ceremony which is carried out without personal embarrassment or ridicule to the candidate.
The perceived rolled-up trouser leg does happen, but this is a reference back to the old days when an apprentice had to be ‘free’, meaning not owned by a master. The baring of the leg, now purely symbolic, shows that there are no shackle marks of slavery around the ankle. There are many other symbolic gestures that will be explained to you as you progress through the three stages