A fraternity (from Latin frater ' brother ' and -ity ; whence, " brotherhood ") or fraternal organization is an organization , society , club or fraternal order traditionally of men but also women associated together for various religious or secular aims. Fraternity in the Western concept developed in the Christian context, notably with the religious orders in the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages . The concept was eventually further extended with medieval confraternities and guilds . In the early modern era, these were followed by fraternal orders such as Freemasons , the Rosicrucian Society of England , and Odd Fellows , along with gentlemen's clubs , student fraternities , and fraternal service organizations. Members are occasionally referred to as a brother or – usually in a religious context – frater or friar .
49-552: The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C. , on February 19, 1864. The Knights of Pythias is the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress . The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C. , on February 19, 1864. The Knights of Pythias
98-428: A former national. These national associations were developed, in part, to prevent this practice. The vast majority of US collegiate institutions recognize fraternities, ranging from a benign tolerance to active support. In Canada, fraternities are only rarely given official recognition, but rather, exist in the campus orbit as independent organizations. A few US campuses have historically banned fraternity participation,
147-727: A fraternity and any other form of social organizations is the implication that the members are freely associated as equals for a mutually beneficial purpose rather than because of a religious, governmental, commercial, or familial bond – although there are fraternities dedicated to each of these fields of association. On college campuses , fraternities may be divided into four different groups: social, service, professional, and honorary. Fraternities can be organized for many purposes, including university education, work skills, ethics, ethnicity, religion, politics, charity, chivalry, other standards of personal conduct, asceticism, service, performing arts, family command of territory, and even crime. There
196-427: A full-time staff, but in other cases the members will cook their own meals. Maintenance is typically performed by members, although on some campuses the host institution handles capital improvements. Sorority chapters tend to be larger, with a business model that includes more formal maintenance and support. Properties may be independently owned by housing corporations, and in the case of some schools these will provide
245-547: A handful of active groups, while the largest will manage in excess of 300 active chapters. Alternatively, some fraternities remain as local units, often retaining a literary society model that was more prevalent in the 19th century. Fraternities offer a wide variety of services: National chapters and locals may or may not have buildings, and while many are residential, some have properties that are meeting halls only. Fraternities which provide residential space exhibit an array of services and sizes. Meals may be catered, or served by
294-472: A major subsection of the whole range of fraternities. In Europe, students were organized in nations and corporations since the beginnings of the modern university in the late medieval period, but the situation can differ greatly by country. In the United States, fraternities in colleges date to the 1770s but did not fully assume an established pattern until the 1820s. Many were strongly influenced by
343-398: A matter that was met with separate lawsuits in federal and Massachusetts courts. Often, Greek chapters that are suspended or banned will continue as sub rosa organizations. Since at least the 1940s, fraternities have received increased scrutiny in the United States from incidents of hazing or racism that have received national attention, and on some campuses, such as Florida State ,
392-842: A member of any organization that advocates the overthrow of the Government of the Country of which I am a Citizen, by force or violence or other unlawful means; and that I do not seek by force or violence to deny to other persons their rights under the laws of such country. By the end of the so-called " Golden Age of Fraternalism " in the early 1920s, the order had nearly a million members. By 1979, however, this number had declined to fewer than 200,000. The order provides for "worthy Pythians in distress" and has given aid to victims of national or sectional disasters. It runs camps for underprivileged youth and homes for aged members. It has sponsored scholarship funds, blood drives, highway safety programs, and
441-562: A position from which several have backtracked in the face of alumni criticism or ongoing student demand. For example, sororities (only) were banned at Stanford University in 1944 due to "extreme competition", but brought back in response to Title IX in 1977. Colby College , Amherst College , and a few others are the outliers, where these bans persist. The College of Wooster adopted a Greek ban 100 years ago, but fraternities and sororities there have continued as local organizations. In 2017 Harvard University attempted to ban single-sex clubs,
490-539: A result, during the Golden Age of Fraternalism they built many impressive buildings and monuments that survive in most US cities. The last major fraternity to be organized during this era was also its most controversial— the refounding of the Ku Klux Klan in 1915. Its principles were largely political as it supported an anti-Catholic , antisemitic , white nationalist , and anti-immigrant platform. Its decline
539-574: A time when there was no welfare state , trade unions or universal health care . Various secret signs and handshakes were created to serve as proof of their membership allowing them to visit guilds in distant places that are associated with the guild they belong. In London and other major cities, some Guilds (like the Freemasons and the Odd Fellows) survived by adapting their roles to a social support function. Eventually, these groups evolved in
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#1732779879319588-584: Is a term referring to a period when membership in the fraternal societies in the United States grew at a very rapid pace in the latter third of the 19th century and continuing into the first part of the 20th. At its peak, it was suggested that as much as 40% of the adult male population held membership in at least one fraternal order . Major examples are the Freemasons , the Knights of Columbus ,
637-406: Is almost always an explicit goal of mutual support, and while there have been fraternal orders for the well-off there have also been many fraternities for those in the lower ranks of society, especially for national or religious minorities. Trade unions also grew out of fraternities such as the Knights of Labor . The ability to organize freely, apart from the institutions of government and religion,
686-475: Is expressly sanctioned in law. There have been hundreds of fraternal organizations in the United States, and at the beginning of the 20th century the number of memberships equaled the number of adult males. (Due to multiple memberships, probably only 50% of adult males belonged to any organizations.) This led to the period being referred to as "the Golden age of fraternalism ." In 1944 Arthur M. Schlesinger coined
735-677: Is the Independent Order of Rechabites (IOR), which was founded in 1835 and is also part of the temperance movement. After the American Civil War , the Grand Army of the Republic was formed, taking its membership from Union veterans seeking to continue the camaraderie of military service. Other fraternal organizations arose as well, such as the Independent Order of Good Templars (1851), Knights of Pythias (1864),
784-522: Is the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress . The order was founded by Justus H. Rathbone , who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the historic Greek legend of Damon and Pythias that illustrates the Pythagorean ideals of loyalty, honor, and friendship that are the center of the order. Membership in the organization
833-725: The Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation . After a black lodge was denied a charter by the Knights of Pythias' Supreme Lodge meeting in Richmond, Virginia on March 8, 1869, a number of black Americans who had been initiated into the order formed their own Pythian group, the Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia . By 1897, the KPNSAEAA had 40,000 members, with Grand Lodges in 20 states and other lodges in
882-729: The Mithraic Mysteries of ancient Rome . The background of the modern world of fraternities can be traced back to the confraternities in the Middle Ages , which were formed as lay organisations affiliated with the Catholic Church . Some were groups of men and women who were endeavoring to ally themselves more closely with the prayer and activity of the church; others were groups of tradesmen, which are more commonly referred to as guilds . These later confraternities evolved into purely secular fraternal societies, while
931-748: The Patrons of Husbandry (the Grange, 1867), Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (1868), the Knights of Columbus (1882), the Loyal Order of Moose (1888), and the Woodmen of the World (1890). These organizations served various goals: mutual aid and insurance, political interests, or social functions, but they each offered their members the comfort of stability and belonging in a dynamic and rapidly industrializing society. They also were less exclusive than
980-660: The Pythian Sisters , the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan , and the Nomads of Avrudaka . The ranks of Pythian Knighthood in a subordinate lodge (or "Castle") are: In 1877, the order adopted an optional rank, called the Endowment Rank, which provided fraternal insurance benefits. In 1930, this department split from the Knights of Pythias and became a mutual life insurance company, later known as
1029-689: The Rechabites , the Odd Fellows , the Good Templars , the Elks , the Shriners , and Rotary Club , as well as the second iteration of the Ku Klux Klan . The earliest fraternal societies, the Freemasons and the Odd Fellows , had their roots in 18th century America. The Freemasons were especially influential and counted such prestigious members as Ben Franklin and George Washington during
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#17327798793191078-446: The "American United Insurance Company". Finally, members who obtained the rank of Knight were eligible to join the now-defunct Uniform Rank, which participated in parades and other processions. Membership has historically been open to males in good health who believe in a Supreme Being . Maimed individuals were not admitted until 1875. Members are accepted by blackball ballot . A member must be at least 18 years of age, and must take
1127-517: The 16th century. These organizations are open to all students who wish to join. Parallel to the nations, both Uppsala and Lund play host to a large number of university-related secret societies, for both students and older academics. There are thriving collegiate fraternity systems in Puerto Rico and in the Philippines . Golden age of fraternalism The Golden Age of Fraternalism
1176-563: The Freemasons and Odd Fellows. These organisations were segregated and Black organisations were founded that were based on the white ones such as Prince Hall Freemasonry , Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America , Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World , as well as original fraternal organisations such as the Independent Order of St. Luke . Fraternities have a history in American colleges and universities and form
1225-741: The Knights is the subject of Chapter 3, entitled "The Marine Excursion of the Knights of Pythias". Several characters in the book are said to be members of the Knights. In the Marx Brothers movie Animal Crackers , Groucho, as the character Captain Spaulding, reports on his recent big game hunting trip to Africa. He says, "The principal animals in Africa are moose, elks, and Knights of Pythias." Fraternal and service organizations Today, connotations of fraternities vary according to context including companionships and brotherhoods dedicated to
1274-482: The Modern Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Foresters , became insurance companies themselves. The Freemasons, as the oldest and most storied of the ritualistic fraternities, continued to grow as a result of an influx of members after World War II, reaching their zenith in terms of absolute numbers in 1959. However, as a percentage of the population, it never matched the reach it attained during
1323-732: The Supreme Lodges of 1894 and 1895, a number of German-speaking Pythians split off and formed the Improved Order, Knights of Pythias at a convention in Indianapolis in June 1895. The new order was reportedly not very popular, and a movement toward reconciliation occurred a few years later. The Knights are mentioned in Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town by Stephen Leacock ; an ill-fated marine excursion organised by
1372-554: The West Indies and Central America. It distributed US$ 60,000 worth of benefits annually and had a woman's auxiliary and uniformed rank. The Grand Lodge of Ontario was instituted on April 8, 1872. Rowena L. Rooks composed "K of P grand march [for piano]," which was dedicated to Collin H. Rose, Grand Chancellor, and the officers and representatives of the Grand Lodge K of P of Ontario, Canada. The march sheet music, which
1421-485: The bulk of residential options for undergraduates; these properties may be on leased or privately held land. Other chapters, often new chapters, are housed in dorms and meet in rented halls. US fraternities formed in roughly three waves. The "old-line" fraternities are considered those that formed prior to, and during the American Civil War, all of which were Eastern or Southern. The next wave coincided with
1470-606: The early 18th century into more philosophical organizations focused on brotherly love and ethical living, with some elements inspired by organisations such as chivalric orders . Among guilds that became prosperous are the Freemasons , Odd Fellows and Foresters . Throughout the latter part of the 19th century and into the 20th century, many American fraternal orders such as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks , Loyal Order of Moose , and Fraternal Order of Eagles implemented practices and rituals inspired from orders such as
1519-643: The exception of the Grand Army of the Republic, they were racially segregated, they nonetheless brought together a broad range of classes under each fraternal banner. They provided a very important insurance function for the average workman, and they brought organization to various political ends. The Freemasons drew many of its members from the professional and merchant classes, and did not have an explicit insurance program, leaving them financially better off than most other orders. Their origin and ritual, as their name suggests, likely derives from medieval builders. As
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1568-438: The following oath: I declare upon honor that I believe in a Supreme Being, that I am not a professional gambler, or unlawfully engaged in the wholesale or retail sale of intoxicating liquors or narcotics, and that I believe in the maintenance of the order and the upholding of constituted authority in the government in which I live. Moreover, I declare upon honor that I am not a Communist or Fascist; that I do not advocate nor am I
1617-448: The formation of national structures of governance where previously each nascent fraternity had been under the control of its first, often "Alpha" chapter. As fraternities grew larger they outpaced the capacity of volunteer management and began to employ staff, eventually requiring an administrative office. Today, hundreds of national fraternities account for roughly 15,000 active chapters. Some national groups remain quite small, with only
1666-557: The initials "FCB", which stand for the Pythian motto. Images on swords were also somewhat common, and included: A full Knight of the Pythian order often inscribed his sword with the image of a knight's helmet with a lion on the crest. Many also carried the image of a sprig of myrtle (the Pythian symbol of love) or a falcon (the Pythian symbol of vigilance). Swords owned by a member of the Uniformed Rank might be inscribed with
1715-576: The initials "UR," a dove, or a lily. The structure of the Knights of Pythias is three-tiered. The local units are called "Subordinate Lodges." State and provincial organizations are called "Grand Lodges" and the national structure is called the "Supreme Lodge" and meets in convention biennially. The officers of the Supreme Lodge include the sitting Past Supreme Chancellor, Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Prelate, Secretary, Treasurer, Master at Arms, Inner Guard and Outer Guard. The order's auxiliaries are
1764-578: The older fraternities, the Masons and Odd Fellows, on which they were modeled. In response, these fraternities also enlarged and offered ever more elaborate ritual and costuming. By 1900, the Odd Fellows were the largest fraternity in the US, with almost a million members, followed closely by the Freemasons. The effects of fraternalism on the development of government and society were profound. Although, with
1813-489: The ones with religious goals continue to be the format of the modern Third Orders affiliated with the mendicant orders . Other yet took the shape as military orders during the Crusades , which later provided inspiration for elements of quite a few modern fraternal orders. The development of modern fraternal orders was especially dynamic in the United States , where the freedom to associate outside governmental regulation
1862-445: The order's swords, lapel pins, and crest. The initials stand for "Friendship, Charity, Benevolence," which is the motto of the Knights of Pythias. Early in the group's history, when a man was inducted into the Knights of Pythias, he received a ceremonial sword. Such a sword might be given to a Pythian by family members, business associates, or others as a token of esteem. Markings on swords varied widely. Most swords were inscribed with
1911-828: The organizations have been temporarily banned while administrators and national fraternities adjust to resolve these shared challenges. In Germany the German Student Corps are the oldest academic fraternities. Twenty-eight were founded in the 18th century and two of them still exist. Most of their traditions have not changed much for the past two centuries. These traditions include academic fencing duels with sharp blades while wearing only eye and neck protection, or regular hunting events, as can be seen in examples such as Corps Hubertia Freiburg , Corps Palatia Munich , Corps Rhenania Heidelberg or Corps Bavaria Munich . At Swedish universities, especially those of Uppsala and Lund , students have organized in nations since
1960-553: The patterns set by Freemasonry. The main difference between the older European organizations and the American organizations is that the American student societies virtually always include initiations, the formal use of symbolism, and a lodge-based organizational structure (chapters). The oldest active social American college fraternity is the Kappa Alpha Society founded in 1825 at Union College . Sigma Phi Society (1827) and Delta Phi Fraternity (1827) were founded at
2009-533: The period immediately after the Civil War until 1920, organizations normally modeled after the old-line fraternities. After WWII, the most recent wave of formation has largely been on ethnic or multi-cultural lines, which continues today. Prior to the formation of the NIC , NPC and other associations, whole chapters or schismatic groups of members would occasionally break away to form new fraternities as an offshoot of
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2058-617: The phrase "a nation of joiners" to refer to the phenomenon. Alexis de Tocqueville also referred to the American reliance on private organization in the 1830s in Democracy in America . There are many attributes that fraternities may or may not have, depending on their structure and purpose. Fraternities can have differing degrees of secrecy , some form of initiation or ceremony marking admission, formal codes of behavior, dress codes disciplinary procedures, very differing amounts of real property and assets. The only true distinction between
2107-821: The religious, intellectual, academic, physical, or social pursuits of its members. In modern times, it sometimes connotes a secret society especially regarding Freemasonry, Odd Fellows, various academic, and student societies . Although membership in fraternities was and mostly still is limited to men, this is not always the case. There are mixed male and female orders, as well as wholly female religious orders and societies, some of which are known as sororities in North America . Notable modern fraternities or fraternal orders include some grand lodges operating among freemasons and odd fellows. There are known fraternal organizations which existed as far back as ancient clan hero and goddess cults of Greek religions and in
2156-512: The revolutionary era. They experienced a precipitous decline after the Morgan Affair led to a moral panic against secret societies, but had largely recovered by the 1850s, albeit slowly. The Independent Order of Good Templars , which is part of the temperance movement , was unique in that from the beginning, it admitted both men and women, as well as both African Americans and European Americans. The first order promoting teetotalism
2205-473: The same school and comprise the Union Triad . The women's fraternities, now more commonly referred to as sororities, formed beginning in 1851 with the establishment of Alpha Delta Pi as the first women's fraternity. Expansion to other schools by way of approved chapters operating under a charter or warrant has been the model whereby US fraternities have grown nationally and into Canada. This resulted in
2254-611: Was a fundamental part of the establishment of the modern world. In Living the Enlightenment , Margaret C. Jacobs showed that the development of Jurgen Habermas's "public space" in 17th-century Netherlands was closely related to the establishment of lodges of Freemasons . The development of fraternities in England may have originated with guilds that were the forerunners of trade unions and friendly societies . These guilds were set up to provide insurance for their members at
2303-525: Was as spectacular as its rise. The overt venality of its leaders and their scandals caused widespread revulsion. The Great Depression of the 1930s hurt all the fraternal orders and the Klan went moribund. Government welfare programs that formed during the Progressive and New Deal eras, as well as the rise of available commercial insurance, lessened the need for the mutual aid fraternities. Some, such as
2352-423: Was originally restricted to whites only. African Americans formed their own organization, the Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia . In 2003, the order had over 2,000 lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles . The initials F.C.B. are often inscribed on
2401-506: Was published in London, Ontario , by C. F. Colwell, c. 1876, was illustrated with the Knights of Pythias emblem and Latin motto Amico Fidus ad Aras or, in English, "True friends are a refuge". In 1892, the Supreme Lodge ruled that the work of the order would only be conducted in English. This upset some members who were accustomed to using German. After this ruling was reiterated at
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