Secret Societies
 

Not sure if there was ever a thread about the various "secret societies" but thought I would try and ask if anyone knows of any "secret" groups on their campuses?
What I am looking for specifically would be the names of the groups, if known, and what their insignia is. I am familiar with all the Yale groups, and some of the others at UVA, but have never seen any badges or pins from these groups (except the Yale groups).

I would be most interested in learning if possible what such item look like if they even wear pins, or key fobs, or such.

Also, there is a VERY interesting item on eBay for the Yale Skull and Bones group. Its a sale for some china from the group. Items like this are rarely ever seen, but the price the seller is asking is WAY too high IMHO!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280989864149...84.m1423.l2648

Anyway, feel free to share any info you can.
Thanks.
Badge Guy

Monmouth College (IL) had (has?) a secret society called Octopus. Their symbol was a red, squiggly looking octopus. I have no idea if they ever wore a pin or insignia.

Longwood University has a secret society...Chi...

It was started by founders from KD, Sigma and Zeta :D

If you know the history....all three groups were around/formed at the same time, they just took their time in announcing/getting all of their ducks in a row.

:D

One of my friends from high school is a Chi and in APO.

Ironically, she had the most negative impression of sororities and greek life in general.

UVA has a few secret societies too.

Here's a link to an article about secret societies at Duke:

http://weedicle.wordpress.com/2009/1...eties-at-duke/

The only one of the supposedly active groups that I remember is the Old Trinity Club. The other two may have started up after I left in the mid 80s.

Washington and Lee has the Cadavers and Sigma. Both are male only, so I know very little about them. Cadavers mostly run around campus at night soaping cars and caterwauling outside the sorority houses. The donated the funds for the so-called "Cadaver Bridge."

Sigma is a lot more secret, and I know little about them. I do know that Sigmas wear a heavy gold/brass ring with a Sigma on it, though.

At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, there is the Order of Gimghoul: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Gimghoul

I was just going to mention that. Their "home" is Hippol Castle (sometimes called Gimghoul Castle) in the woods on Piney Prospect:

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/p...um/2220965.jpg

http://gazette.unc.edu/archives2/11m...ul-banquet.jpg

UNC-CH also has the Order of the Gorgon's Head. It is slightly younger than the Order of Gimghoul, and it doesn't have a castle.

Are there female-only secret societies?

Now thats a good question. According to some research, I do know there were several societies for women, there was Society of the Golden Rose at the University of California, there was LSV society at the University of Missouri, and there was the Society of Cwens, which is now known as Lambda Sigma.

Also, I do know that sometime in the 1980s, the infamous Skull & Bones society at Yale began admitting women, as did some of the other senior societies as well.

If anyone knows if these groups still exist I would love to know, and if anyone knows of any others that would be great also.

Thanks.
BG

Auburn had Cwens when I was there but they dropped the group when they had to admit guys and the opening line of the initiation was, "I am a lady. I am a Queen."

Per the Wiki, along with the groups mentioned by badge guy, Palladia and Trust of the Pearl (for sorority women) at the University of Georgia and The Colors (3 groups -- The Reds, The Greens and The Purples) at Maryville College are all-female.

Can't say whether this info is current and accurate, and I'm betting there may be more.

I found some at Lehigh in the early 1880's, I know one was called The Crows I believe, I can double check tomorrow (their site is down at the moment).

There was also The Esoteric society for women at the University of Chicago.

https://cache.nebula.phx3.secureserv...0-0aa88f140a05

...And as a former Cwen, it was founded at Pitt! Amos Hall. where all but two of the NPC sororities are housed, was named after the founder, University of Pittsburgh Dean Thyrsa Amos. Her portrait was often sought during the now forbidden scavenger hunts.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...hyrsa_Amos.jpg

Not wanting to further hijack the Badge Trends thread, but the Eli Banana Wikipedia reminded me of a friend who's father died tragically and unexpectedly in the 80's. He was a member of the Seven Society UVa and they had no idea until his funeral when the flower arrangement arrived at the church... It was oddly comforting to them in such a tragic time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Society

The Esoteric at the University of Chicago
 

Just found this thread. I wrote something about the Esoteric a while back and just added the badge to the post. How fun to make that connection.
http://wp.me/p20I1i-Ck

In the obituary section of the most recent W&L magazine, there was a little Cadaver symbol (for the non W&L folks, it looks sort of like a copyright symbol...a C inside a circle) at the end of one of the alumni obituaries.

I guess that's how they're revealed?

FYI, 4 of them got into the Pi Phi house through an unlocked door last month. They use high pitched voices and wear elaborate skull masks to disguise themselves. GenerallyGreek said they were obviously drunk and she was mad because when she offered one some candy, he took the candy bowl and threw it all over the rug. One of the others got mad at him, and they left.

The W&L magazine is sitting on the top of the magazine pile and, of course, I had to go look for the little symbol. Thanks for pointing it out!