Since man ceased to be nomadic and became sedentary, the formation of groups began to develop regarding their activities within the social sphere: collectors, hunters, farmers, etc. However, the evolution towards more sophisticated societies led these groups to create more complex political, cultural, economic and social systems. Among these, the secret organizations that have formed part of history arose from within. Some were formed for specific purposes, such as safeguarding a secret or treasure, and others for conspiratorial purposes.
The term “secret society” is used to classify fraternal organizations that have rituals and ceremonies, as the name implies: secret. Normally, to enter them, certain tests and an initiation rite must be surpassed.
Many of these groups are part of a collective knowledge, meanwhile others remain oblivious as to their symbolism, organization and leaders. Here are five secret societies and orders around the world:
1. The Illuminati of Bavaria
This order was founded on May 1, 1776 by Adam Weishaupt. At first they called themselves “The Association of Perfectibilists” and took as their symbol the owl of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. Their first impulse would come in 1778, when one of Weishaupt’s students reorganized the society and proposed a new name: Bund der Illuminaten (Union of the Illuminati), and later Illuminaten orden (Order of the Illuminati). Adam succeeded in recruiting a large number of thinkers, philosophers, artists, politicians, analysts, and others with whom they managed to infiltrate different lodges in Bavaria and Europe.
The internal disputes caught the attention of the Bavarian authorities, and in 1784 Prince Karl Theodor banned all communities, societies and fraternities that were founded without approval.
This order was committed to the Enlightenment model; which sought the improvement of the world with liberty, equality and fraternity.
Many conspiracy theories of this group include the fall of Napoleon, the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the triumph of Barack Obama. There is no hard evidence of their existence or termination.
2. The Freemasons
It is a non-religious organization that through fraternity seeks the development of philanthropic, philosophical and symbolic character. Its name is composed from the words: “franc”, which means free (as in free port), and “maçon”, mason, a builder in an abstract sense. Hence, a literal translation of the term is: “free builder”.
They are organized in lodges. They appeared in Europe at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th century. Their organization is presented as a formation tool that allows its members to develop their listening, reflection and conversational skills.
Their symbol is the compass, since it portrays the emblem of the exact sciences, the notion of rule and rectitude. Allegedly, this lodge has formed several world leaders such as Hitler, Franco and Mussolinni, and is characterized by going against religious beliefs and institutions such as the Vatican.
3. The Knights Templar
Also known as the “Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and of Solomon’s Temple”, it was one of the most famous Christian military orders of the Middle Ages, since it arose after the Crusades. It was founded in 1118 by nine French knights, led by Hugo de Payens, with the purpose of protecting the lives of the Christians who were on their way to Jerusalem after the Conquest.
It achieved the official approval of the Catholic Church in 1129, during the Council of Troyes, and from that moment on, they would gain power and increase the number of men within their ranks. After the loss of the Holy Land, the order lost support and it was replaced with distrust. In 1307 a large number of Templars were imprisoned and burned at the stake. And finally, in 1312, Pope Clement V dissolved the order.
The cross that represents this organization is the red Pate Cross, which symbolizes the martyrdom of Christ, and it was Pope Eugene III who granted authorization for its use.
4. Skull and Bones
It is a secret society apparently formed directly from Yale University in the United States. It was founded in 1832 by two members of the Phi Beta Kappa brotherhood: William Huntigton Russell and Alphonso Taft.
The Bones’ members range from U.S. presidents, such as George W. Bush, his father George H. W. Bush and William Howard Taft, from Supreme Court justices, to businessmen and senators such as John Kerry.
5. The Bilderberg club
This is not a secret society, it is a group or forum composed of approximately 130 people who meet every year. An exclusive invitation is required to attend these meetings, which are attended by bankers, politicians, royalty, CEOs, media owners, etc., who apparently seek to establish a new world order. The topics discussed at this meeting are completely secret and jealously guarded by its members.
This story was originally published in Spanish by Cultura Colectiva.
