One of the oldest social and charitable organizations in the world, Freemasonry's roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our cathedrals and castles. It is here that a number of the famous elements of Freemasonry find their roots. In the medieval era, stonemasons often traveled around to find work in different locations. To demonstrate their level of qualification, they would use grips, words, and signs in order to distinguish themselves from unqualified builders. Freemasonry uses building analogies to teach members how to lead productive lives that benefit the communities that they live in. In the medieval era, stonemasons wore aprons and gloves to protect themselves while working on shaping rough pieces of stone, but in today’s society, Freemasons meet to build friendships and communities rather than cathedrals and castles.