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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1821]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1821]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1: any of various [[oath]]-bound [[societies]] often devoted to brotherhood, [[moral]] [[discipline]], and [[mutual]] [[assistance]]

*1: any of various [[oath]]-bound [[societies]] often devoted to brotherhood, [[moral]] [[discipline]], and [[mutual]] [[assistance]]

==Description==

==Description==

A '''secret society''' is a club or [[organization]] whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The [[society]] may or may not attempt to conceal its [[existence]]. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence_agencies intelligence agencies], or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their activities and memberships but maintain a [[public]] [[presence]]. The exact qualifications for labeling a group as a ''secret society'' are disputed, but [[definitions]] generally rely on the degree to which the organization insists on [[secrecy]], and might involve the retention and transmission of secret [[knowledge]], denial of membership in or knowledge of the [[group]], the [[creation]] of personal [[bonds]] between members of the organization, and the use of secret rites or [[rituals]] which solidify members of the [[group]].

A '''secret society''' is a club or [[organization]] whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The [[society]] may or may not attempt to conceal its [[existence]]. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence_agencies intelligence agencies], or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their activities and memberships but maintain a [[public]] [[presence]]. The exact qualifications for labeling a group as a ''secret society'' are disputed, but [[definitions]] generally rely on the degree to which the organization insists on [[secrecy]], and might involve the retention and transmission of secret [[knowledge]], denial of membership in or knowledge of the [[group]], the [[creation]] of personal [[bonds]] between members of the organization, and the use of secret rites or [[rituals]] which solidify members of the [[group]].

<center>For lessons on the related [[topic]] of '''''[[Illuminati]]''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Illuminati '''''this link'''''].</center>  

<center>For lessons on the related [[topic]] of '''''[[Illuminati]]''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Illuminati '''''this link'''''].</center>  

[[Anthropology|Anthropologically]] and historically, ''secret societies'' are deeply interlinked with the concept of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannerbund Mannerbund], the all-male "[[warrior]]-band" or "warrior-society" of pre-modern [[cultures]] (see H. Schurtz, ''Alterklassen und Mannerbunde'', Berlin, 1902; A. Van Gennep, ''The Rites of Passage'', Chicago, 1960).

[[Anthropology|Anthropologically]] and historically, ''secret societies'' are deeply interlinked with the concept of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannerbund Mannerbund], the all-male "[[warrior]]-band" or "warrior-society" of pre-modern [[cultures]] (see H. Schurtz, ''Alterklassen und Mannerbunde'', Berlin, 1902; A. Van Gennep, ''The Rites of Passage'', Chicago, 1960).

A purported "family tree of secret societies" has been proposed, although it may not be comprehensive.[2]

A purported "family tree of secret societies" has been proposed, although it may not be comprehensive.[2]

The Thuggee were a secret cult of assassins who worshipped the Hindu goddess Kali.

The Thuggee were a secret cult of assassins who worshipped the Hindu goddess Kali.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Axelrod Alan Axelrod], author of the ''International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders'', defines a ''secret society'' as an [[organization]] that:

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Axelrod Alan Axelrod], author of the ''International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders'', defines a ''secret society'' as an [[organization]] that:

*Is exclusive.

*Is exclusive.

*Claims to own special secrets.

*Claims to own special secrets.

*Teachings lead to "hidden (and 'unique') truths"

*Teachings lead to "hidden (and 'unique') truths"

*Truths bring "personal benefits beyond the reach and even the understanding of the uninitiated."

*Truths bring "personal benefits beyond the reach and even the understanding of the uninitiated."

Barrett goes on to say that "a further characteristic common to most of them is the [[practice]] of [[rituals]] which non-members are not permitted to [[observe]], or even to know the [[existence]] of." Barrett's definition would rule out many [[organizations]] called ''secret societies''; graded teaching is usually not part of the American college fraternities, the Carbonari, or the 19th century Know Nothings.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_societies]

Barrett goes on to say that "a further characteristic common to most of them is the [[practice]] of [[rituals]] which non-members are not permitted to [[observe]], or even to know the [[existence]] of." Barrett's definition would rule out many [[organizations]] called ''secret societies''; graded teaching is usually not part of the American college fraternities, the Carbonari, or the 19th century Know Nothings.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_societies]

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Illuminati]]'''''

*'''''[[Illuminati]]'''''