Secret society

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A secret society is an organization that conceals its activities from outsiders. The term "secret society" is often used to describe a wide range of organizations: collegiate fraternities, fraternal organizations that may have non-public ceremonies, and also mythical organizations described in conspiracy theories.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Historically, secret societies have been the subject of suspicion and speculation from non-members since the time of the ancient Greeks, when meetings were held "sub rosa" (Latin, "under the rose") to signify the secrecy and silence of the Hellenistic god Harpocrates.

Since some secret societies have political aims, they are illegal in several countries. Poland has made the ban of secret political parties and political organizations a part of its constitution.

Many student societies established on university campuses have been considered secret societies. Some collegiate secret societies are the Flat Hat Club (1750) and Phi Beta Kappa (1776), both founded at William & Mary. The most famous member of the FHC was Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. In correspondence, Jefferson noted that the Flat Hat Club served "no useful object." The most famous collegiate secret society today is the Skull and Bones (1832) at Yale University. See List of collegiate secret societies.

[edit] List of secret societies

[edit] International organizations

While not self-styled as secret societies, these groups are often discussed in that context.

[edit] Religious

[edit] Other

[edit] Criminal organizations

[edit] Historical secret societies

[edit] Collegiate secret societies

Main article: List of collegiate secret societies

[edit] Revolutionary organizations

[edit] Alleged secret societies

Either the existence of these, or their status, is subject to significant doubt. See also Secret societies in popular culture

[edit] References

  1. ^ Moore, Bob. "Jefferson National Expansion: Administrative History" Chapter 3. Accessed 21 Mar 2007.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Heckethorn, Charles William (1997). The secret societies of all ages and countries, embracing the mysteries of ancient India, China, Japan, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Greece, and Scandinavia, the Cabbalists, early Christians, heretics, Assassins, Thugs, Templars, the Vehm and Inquisition, mystics, Rosicrucians, Illuminati, Freemasons, Skopzi, Camorristi, Carbonari, nihilists, and other sects. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 1-56459-296-0. 
  • Whalen, William Joseph (1966). Handbook of secret organizations. Milwaukee: Bruce Pub. Co.. LCCN 66-026658. 
  • Axelrod, Alan (1997). The international encyclopedia of secret societies and fraternal orders. New York: Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2307-7. 
  • Roberts, J. M. (John Morris) (1972). The mythology of the secret societies. New York: Scribner. ISBN 0-684-12904-3. 
  • Robbins, Alexandra (2004). Pledged: the secret life of sororities. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 0-7868-8859-8. 
  1. ^ Moore, Bob. "Jefferson National Expansion: Administrative History" Chapter 3. Accessed 21 Mar 2007.

[edit] External links

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