17 Strange Facts About The Most Elite Secret Societies You Probably Didn't Even Know Existed

Members of the Cadaver Society are said to wander the campus at night, dressed in black, their faces covered with skull masks as they scrawl the sign of the society (a skull and the letter ‘C’) around the place.

Bianca SparacinoNovember 7, 2016

— Robert Viccellio, Wrapped in Mystery: A guide to secret—and not-so-secret—student organizations at UVA

Secret Society

— Robert Viccellio, Wrapped in Mystery: A guide to secret—and not-so-secret—student organizations at UVA

Secret Society

— Robert Viccellio, Wrapped in Mystery: A guide to secret—and not-so-secret—student organizations at UVA

Secret Society

— Sophie McBain, Smashing Job Chaps: Exclusive Inside Look At Bullingdon Club

Secret Society

— Alice Jones, The Riot Club

Secret Society

— Tom McTague, Bullingdon Club initiation ceremony claim: New members of David Cameron's old club 'burn £50 note in front of beggar'

Secret Society

— Emily Retter, Oxford University Bullingdon club: 'We'd make women get on all fours then get whips out'

Secret Society

— Antony C. Sutton, America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull & Bones

Secret Society

— Antony C. Sutton, America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull & Bones

Secret Society

— George W. Bush, A Charge To Keep

Secret Society

— Unknown, The Legend Of Gimghoul

— Cambridge Archives, A Cambridge Secret Revealed: The Apostles

Secret Society

— Cambridge Archives, A Cambridge Secret Revealed: The Apostles

Secret Society

— Arthur Morius Francis, Secret Societies Vol. 3: The Collegiate Secret Societies of America (Volume 3)

Secret Society

— Arthur Morius Francis, Secret Societies Vol. 3: The Collegiate Secret Societies of America (Volume 3)

Secret Society

— Arthur Morius Francis, Secret Societies Vol. 3: The Collegiate Secret Societies of America (Volume 3)

Secret Society

17 Strange Facts About The Most Elite Secret Societies You Probably Didn't Even Know Existed

The Seven Society is the most secretive of the University of Virginia's secret societies. Members are only revealed after their death, when a wreath of black magnolias in the shape of a "7" is placed at the gravesite.

— Robert Viccellio, Wrapped in Mystery: A guide to secret—and not-so-secret—student organizations at UVA

While the inner workings of the Seven Society remain secret, its numerous gifts to the University are presented publicly.

— Robert Viccellio, Wrapped in Mystery: A guide to secret—and not-so-secret—student organizations at UVA

— Robert Viccellio, Wrapped in Mystery: A guide to secret—and not-so-secret—student organizations at UVA

— Sophie McBain, Smashing Job Chaps: Exclusive Inside Look At Bullingdon Club

The official Bullingdon Club uniform consists of navy blue tailcoats with a velvet collar and ivory silk lapels, monogrammed buttons, waistcoat, and a tie in the club colour of sky blue. The full ensemble can only be purchased from a single Oxford tailor, and is estimated to cost around £3,500.

— Alice Jones, The Riot Club

In 2013, it was reported that new members of the Bullingdon Club were required to burn a £50 note in front of a beggar as part of an ‘initiation ceremony’.

— Tom McTague, Bullingdon Club initiation ceremony claim: New members of David Cameron's old club 'burn £50 note in front of beggar'

— Emily Retter, Oxford University Bullingdon club: 'We'd make women get on all fours then get whips out'

One of the most famous (and infamous) secret college societies in the U.S. is the Skull and Bones at Yale. Previous alumni include such notables as George Bush senior, George W. Bush, and John Kerry.

— Antony C. Sutton, America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull & Bones

Each year 15 new members are chosen to join the Skull and Bones, and it is rumored new members each receive $15,000 and a grandfather clock.

— Antony C. Sutton, America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull & Bones

George W. Bush wrote in his autobiography, "In my senior year I joined Skull and Bones, a secret society; so secret, I can't say anything more.

— George W. Bush, A Charge To Keep

— Unknown, The Legend Of Gimghoul

The all-male Order of Gimghoul has its headquarters in a spooky castle on campus and is said to have its basis in Arthurian traditions of chivalry and honor — though it is known for its satanic iconography.

— Unknown, The Legend Of Gimghoul

— Cambridge Archives, A Cambridge Secret Revealed: The Apostles

All Apostles must swear a secret oath and sign their names in a leather-bound book, which contains the signatures of all previous members and is the most treasured possession of the exclusive club.

— Cambridge Archives, A Cambridge Secret Revealed: The Apostles

The Cadaver Society of Washington and Lee University, is made up of mostly pre-med students with the best grade averages.

— Arthur Morius Francis, Secret Societies Vol. 3: The Collegiate Secret Societies of America (Volume 3)

Members of the Cadaver Society are said to wander the campus at night, dressed in black, their faces covered with skull masks as they scrawl the sign of the society (a skull and the letter ‘C’) around the place.

— Arthur Morius Francis, Secret Societies Vol. 3: The Collegiate Secret Societies of America (Volume 3)

It is thought that the Cadavers travel around campus via a series of secret tunnels, and that they have very strong ties to the Illuminati.

— Arthur Morius Francis, Secret Societies Vol. 3: The Collegiate Secret Societies of America (Volume 3)

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