Tri Sig & Sig Kap

DigitalAngel126 · #1 07-27-2002, 01:00 PM

Hey all, I was just curious about something.. I've heard much controversy about Sig Kap and Tri Sig...If you know what I'm talking about, great, if not, I'm sorry...But to those of you that do have the slightest as to what I'm talking about, is any of it true?? I'm just curious...I've heard a lot of stories...

Aquastar · #2 07-27-2002, 07:06 PM

Digital,
Ive heard it too ... dunno whats true and whats not ... If anyone knows ...
DUDE FILL ME IN!

SoCalGirl · #3 07-27-2002, 07:41 PM

There's no evidence to support any of it!

DigitalAngel126 · #4 07-27-2002, 09:46 PM

some people would say that evidence would be the similarities in badges, jewel, flower, name of magazine, etc...

i'm not saying that that IS evidence, but thats what some people believe...so, does anyone have a definitive answer?

Colleenie · #5 07-27-2002, 10:13 PM

Although we were founded first (Sig Kap 1874, Tri-Sig 1898) Tri-Sigma was founded in VA at what is now called Longwood college. Sigma Kappa didn't have any chapters outside of Maine until 1904 - Delta Chapter Boston University. So the chances of their founders knowing anything about Sigma Kappa are slim. Also if you look at their symbols (sailboat, etc) and on their coat of arms and compare it to what you know about our ritual......no similarities.
The triangle shape is common amongst fraternities and sororities in their pledge pins and badges. Violets and pearls were very popular in the late 1800's. I collect old victorian post cards and many of them have violets and pearls on them. As for the magazine, I don't know who published theirs first. It does seem odd, you'd think one of us would change the name??
If Tri-Sigma was to have any similarities to any other organization I would be more likely to point the finger at any of the other six (I think?) sororities that were founded at Longwood around the same time. I'm sure when it comes right down to ritual every sorority has their own thing going on. The similarities in our badge, flower, jewel, and magazine are purely coincidental.

Aquastar · #6 07-28-2002, 10:13 AM

Colleenie,
Im so glad someone looks at things logicaly

nwsigkap · #7 07-31-2002, 11:49 PM

Coming from a school that also has Tri-Sigma, I think I've heard every possible rumor imagined. I must say there are some things that are VERY similar on the outside, but I tend not to read too much into the rumors. Since we've never participated in their ritual, everything we know are speculations or "I heard from___". Things tend to get exaggerated after a while (ever play the telephone game?), and if the rumors are true, do you think they'd admit it? I know if the situation was turned around I sure wouldn't! Their ritual is their business and not ours.

Skchickie · #8 08-01-2002, 02:03 PM

I asked a similar question on the tri sig board, my question went something like "I've noticed a few similarities between our GLO's. is there a conection or is it coincidence?"
and one of the tri-sigs replied, basically saying yes, there was a connection but she was too tired to explain it, and then she never got back to me.

SoCalGirl · #9 08-01-2002, 08:42 PM

She later erased it after I asked her if she could explain.

SigKapQueen · #10 08-01-2002, 10:08 PM

i recently heard the rumors during convention. all the older alums gossiped about the similarities. they truly had a rival with the tri sigs. maybe its just me, but this is very interesting. all i know is we dont know the truth!!!

nwsigkap · #11 08-01-2002, 11:15 PM

Hey girls,

While I bet there probably is a link (best piece of outside evidence is the pins...compare them sometime), I'm pretty sure we will never know *for sure* if it's true or not unless a disgruntled former Tri-Sigma spills the beans. From stories I've heard (which once again are stories/rumors, not neccisarily believable), the connection is explained during their super long initiation ceremony, and therefore Tri-Sigmas would not be able to tell us without totally disrespecting their sorority. I have friends that are Tri-Sigmas and I have never once asked them about it because I feel it isn't any of my business to know their ritual, and I wouldn't want to put them in such an uncomfortable position. I wouldn't want them to do the same to me if the tables were turned, and I bet you wouldn't either. While it may not be any of our business to know their ritual, I'm like the rest of you and deep down would like to know for sure if the Sigma Kappa connection is true since it does involve us (otherwise I have absolutley no desire to know any part of any greek orgs ritual...it's not ours so it would not have any special meaning, plus its disrespectful to the other org). However, the truth coming out is just not something that I see happening.

SLAM,
Jess

PS- Not to be cranky about it, but try and use Tri-Sigma instead of Tri-Sig. Nationally and I know for sure at my school they don't like the term for various reasons, and even to me it sounds like nails on a chalkboard after hearing Tri-Sigma for so long. It's kind of like using fraternity instead of frat.

Colleenie · #12 08-01-2002, 11:45 PM

If it is true that there is something about us in their initiation ritual, wouldn't you feel a bit cheated if you were a Tri-Sigma, knowing that your ritual is referenced to some other sorority rather than being it's own original work?? I guess I would feel that way. I still would like to think that the similarities are coincidental and I sincerely hope they are.
This thread makes me laugh because I thought that the rumors I heard were just something members of my chapter made up and passed down over the years. I had no idea it was a national rumor. Amazing!

sailboatgirl · #13 08-02-2002, 11:04 AM

Sorry to butt in on your board, but this whole thing is confusing/intriguing me!

I'm a Tri Sigma and all I can say is that there is no mention of Sigma Kappa in our ritual, initiation, etc. In fact, since there is no Sigma Kappa at the college where I was initiated, I had not even heard of SK (other than seeing the name when we were learning about NPC) until somone's cousin I met was a SK from somewhere. So...does that clear up anything? Or am I still confused? Seeing as I didn't know what the rumor/controversy was in the first place....

-Melissa

Aquastar · #14 08-02-2002, 06:54 PM

Ladies ...
Lets just drop it ... If there was any info ... the only ones that would know for sure would be nationals from either side ... and 1) who knows if they actually know ... and 2) LIKE THEY WOULD TELL!
We are all members of 2 great sororities and as cool as it would be to know ... were never gonna find out so lets just get back to being pround members of Tri Sig or Sigma K

'Cause its all greek to me!

nwsigkap · #15 08-02-2002, 08:09 PM

Ditto that Aquastar.