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Like the most successful Forgeries , it is conceivable that the most effective secret societies are unknown beyond their adherents. Historically, secret societies are often the subject of suspicion and speculation from non-members; and as such have aroused nervousness from outsiders since the time of the ancient Greeks , when meetings were held "sub rosa" (Latin, "under the rose") to signify the secrecy and silence of the Hellenistic god Harpocrates . For this reason, secret societies are illegal in several countries. In the European Union , Poland has made the ban a part of its constitution. Article 13 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland states: "Political parties and other organizations whose programmes are based upon totalitarian methods and the modes of activity of nazism, fascism and communism, as well as those whose programmes or activities sanction racial or national hatred, the application of violence for the purpose of obtaining power or to influence the State policy, or provide for the secrecy of their own structure or membership, shall be prohibited." Some secret organizations exploit secrecy as a means to further Political or Criminal agendas, including such historical examples as the Know Nothing party in the United States, and the Mafia , respectively. Many student societies established on university campuses {Link without Title} have been considered secret societies. Some collegiate secret societies are the Flat Hat Club (1750) and Phi Beta Kappa (1776), both founded at William & Mary . The most famous member of the FHC was Thomas Jefferson , the third President Of The United States . In correspondence, Jefferson noted that the Flat Hat Club served "no useful object." Others are the Order Of The Bull's Blood (1834) at Rutgers University , and the Bishop James Madison Society (1812) at The College Of William & Mary . The most famous collegiate secret society is the Skull And Bones (1832) at Yale University . See List Of Collegiate Secret Societies . List of secret societies International organizations While not self-styled as secret societies, these groups are often discussed in that context.
Fraternal organizations Masonic Rosicrucian
Religious Other
Criminal organizations Historical secret societies
Revolutionary organizations
Alleged secret societies Either the existence of these, or their status, is subject to significant doubt. See also Secret Societies In Popular Culture See also
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