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(Redirected from Secret societies)
A 'secret society' is an organization that conceals its activities and membership from outsiders. The term "secret society" is also often used by the general public to describe a wide range of organizations that do not fit this definition, such as collegiate fraternities and fraternal organizations that may have non-public ceremonies. It also includes organizations described in conspiracy theories.
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"). This phrase arrises from the fact that the rose was the emblem of the god Horus in ancient Egypt. Later the Greeks and Romans regarded Horus as god of silence. This originates from a Greek/Roman misinterpretation of an Egyptian hieroglyphic adopting Horus along with Isis and Osiris as a god. The Greeks translated his Egyptian name Har-pa-khered to Harpocrates. The rose's connotation for secrecy also dates back to Greek mythology. Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, the god of love; he, in turn, gave it to Harpocrates, the god of silence, to ensure that his mother's indiscretions (or those of the gods in general, in other accounts) were kept under wraps. In the Middle Ages a rose suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber pledged all present (those under the rose) to secrecy.[1] Today the phrases "Sub Rosa" and "under the rose" are commonly used to indicate secrecy.
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. These such collegiate secret societies are like 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 nation's prestigious universities and liberal arts colleges are home to secret societies today. See List of collegiate secret societies.
Perhaps one of the most famous secret college societies is the Skull and Bones club, of which president George W. Bush was a member of during his college years. The Skull and Bones Club is rumored to be a secret white supremist organization. However, if this once was true, it clearly no longer is, as there have been minority and homosexual members in recent years.
It is rumored that some members of the Skull and Bones Club receive membership because of family connections. Many former members of it have gone on to have wealthy and powerful careers.
★ Secret societies in popular culture
★ 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, , Charles William, Heckethorn, Kessinger Publishing, 1997, ISBN 1-56459-296-0
★
★ The international encyclopedia of secret societies and fraternal orders, , Alan, Axelrod, Facts on File, 1997, ISBN 0-8160-2307-7
★ The mythology of the secret societies, , J. M. (John Morris), Roberts, Scribner, 1972, ISBN 0-684-12904-3
★ Pledged: the secret life of sororities, , Alexandra, Robbins, Hyperion, 2004, ISBN 0-7868-8859-8
1. Scottish Executive Official Website
★ Major media articles on secret societies — Collection of one-paragraph excerpts with links to original articles
A 'secret society' is an organization that conceals its activities and membership from outsiders. The term "secret society" is also often used by the general public to describe a wide range of organizations that do not fit this definition, such as collegiate fraternities and fraternal organizations that may have non-public ceremonies. It also includes organizations described in conspiracy theories.
| Contents |
| Overview |
| See also |
| References |
| Notes |
| External links |
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"). This phrase arrises from the fact that the rose was the emblem of the god Horus in ancient Egypt. Later the Greeks and Romans regarded Horus as god of silence. This originates from a Greek/Roman misinterpretation of an Egyptian hieroglyphic adopting Horus along with Isis and Osiris as a god. The Greeks translated his Egyptian name Har-pa-khered to Harpocrates. The rose's connotation for secrecy also dates back to Greek mythology. Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, the god of love; he, in turn, gave it to Harpocrates, the god of silence, to ensure that his mother's indiscretions (or those of the gods in general, in other accounts) were kept under wraps. In the Middle Ages a rose suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber pledged all present (those under the rose) to secrecy.[1] Today the phrases "Sub Rosa" and "under the rose" are commonly used to indicate secrecy.
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. These such collegiate secret societies are like 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 nation's prestigious universities and liberal arts colleges are home to secret societies today. See List of collegiate secret societies.
Perhaps one of the most famous secret college societies is the Skull and Bones club, of which president George W. Bush was a member of during his college years. The Skull and Bones Club is rumored to be a secret white supremist organization. However, if this once was true, it clearly no longer is, as there have been minority and homosexual members in recent years.
It is rumored that some members of the Skull and Bones Club receive membership because of family connections. Many former members of it have gone on to have wealthy and powerful careers.
See also
★ Secret societies in popular culture
References
★ 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, , Charles William, Heckethorn, Kessinger Publishing, 1997, ISBN 1-56459-296-0
★
★ The international encyclopedia of secret societies and fraternal orders, , Alan, Axelrod, Facts on File, 1997, ISBN 0-8160-2307-7
★ The mythology of the secret societies, , J. M. (John Morris), Roberts, Scribner, 1972, ISBN 0-684-12904-3
★ Pledged: the secret life of sororities, , Alexandra, Robbins, Hyperion, 2004, ISBN 0-7868-8859-8
Notes
1. Scottish Executive Official Website
External links
★ Major media articles on secret societies — Collection of one-paragraph excerpts with links to original articles
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