Every Masonic Lodge elects or appoints Masonic Lodge Officers to execute the necessary functions of the lodge’s life and work. These offices may vary between the jurisdictions of different Grand Lodges, although certain factors are common to all, and others are usual in most.

There are few universal rules common to all jurisdictions of Freemasonry. However, the structure of the progressive offices is very nearly universal. While the precise order of various officers within the “line” of officers may vary, the usual progression is for a lodge officer to spend either one or two years in each position, advancing through “the chairs”, until he elected as Worshipful Master. In addition, there are some offices that are traditionally not considered to be part of the “line”, and which may be held by the same brother for many years, or be held by Past Masters.

Worshipful Master
He presides in the East and supervises the activities of the Lodge. He represents King Solomon and is in charge of the entrance of the Holy of Hollies. This Office is the consciousness level that relates to the Spirit. The Master opens the Lodge. His seat is in the East, three steps above the floor. He also represents Wisdom.

Senior Warden
He is in charge of the “Middle Chamber”, or the Fellow Crafts. It’s a representation of the Soul and morality. The Senior Warden closes the Lodge. His seat is in the West – two steps above the floor. He also represents Strength.

Junior Warden
He is in charge of the “Ground Floor”, or the Entered Apprentices. His place relates to the physical world. He represents one’s Character. Junior Warden calls the Lodge from labour to refreshment and from refreshment to labour. His seat is in the South – one step above the floor. He also represents Beauty.

Senior Deacon
The Deacons are the messengers of the Lodge. The Senior Deacon is the messenger of the Master. He represents one’s presence and readiness. His seat is in the East, on the same level with the floor.

Junior Deacon
He is the messenger of the Senior Warden. He is the representation of the “feeling”. He is seating in the West, on the same level with the floor.

Inner Guard
He is the contact of the Lodge with the world outside. He is the “Ego” of the Lodge – he admits people in if he finds them fit and proper to enter. During the initiation, he warns the aspiring member not to enter the Lodge if his heart and mind are not pure. His seat is next to the door of the Lodge – usually in the North West.

Tyler
He is seated outside of the Lodge room. It is his duty to exclude non-Masons from entering the Lodge, to keep the brethren safe from eavesdropping. He, as well as the Inner Guard, is in charge of collecting the signs and words that are necessary for a person to prove himself as a Mason. He is the representation of the physical world.

(Freemasonry – Symbols, Secrets, Significance – by W.Kirk MacNulty is used as a reference for this posting)