

Masonic Years – A.D., the other A.D., A.I., A.L., A.M., and A.O.
Nothing is ever simple, and calendar year designations can be downright confusing when it comes to Freemasonry. While most can agree that the widely used Gregorian calendar is the best way to go (especially when writing checks!), different bodies will reference different calendars.
Anno Depositionis (AD or A.D. … but not that AD) Latin for “the year of deposit.” is a reference to the completion of the King Solomon’s Temple, which is based on calculations of when the First Temple was finally completed in 1000 BC.
Anno Domini (AD or A.D.) Medieval Latin for “In the Year of the Lord” and “In the Year of Our Lord.” This calendar is based on the traditionally recognized year of the conception and birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The full specification is “Anno Domini Nostri Iesu Christi,” but that’s just too many letters, so it became “AD.” Traditionally, the “AD” comes before the year – AD 2014 for the current epoch (“BC” or “B.C.” is placed after the year for the previous epoch). As a minor side note: AD 1 immediately follows 1 BC; there is no year zero. Read more »