Skull and Bones - Yale secret society

The truth about this very clandestine organisation

Greetings Gold and Silver Level Templar Knights! At Yale University there is a secret society that has produced former presidents of the United States. Is it all harmless fun or something more sinister?

A secret society at Yale University founded in 1832 fascinates many because of its association with top American politicians and rumours of bizarre rituals. The Skull and Bones - also called Order 322 and The Brotherhood of Death - is either a harmless student organisation or something far more sinister. The latter view was held by many as early as 1874 when The Boston Globe newspaper demanded less secrecy and most transparency about Yale's secret societies.

Yale, in its early days, prided itself on being a meritocratic institution that welcomed students of all backgrounds - treating rich and poor as equals. The fear in 1874 was that the secret societies were a deliberate way of undermining that egalitarian spirit. In other words, the rich kids were getting organised behind closed doors and it wasn't good news for poorer students.

Skull and Bones - and to a lesser extent its "feeble imitation" Scroll and Key (which still exists) - had somehow destroyed the "open literary societies" called the Livonia and Brothers in Unity. They had replaced transparency and equality with secrecy and a new elite spirit. The Boston Globe urge Yale to ban the Skull and Bones as soon as possible.

"It would certainly seem as though some remedy ought to be proposed for the wrongs, injuries and mischiefs entailed by the secret societies; for not alone have their evil workings resulted in the overthrow of the open societies, but their deadly influence is exhibited in numberless other directions."

The egos of those in Skull and Bones and Scroll and Key was out of control, even in 1874, as the newspaper described:

"Why should two sets of young men selected as members of two college societies, whether because of real talent or ability, precociously displayed, or because of wealth inherited, or social qualities early developed, arrogate to themselves so much consideration, elevate themselves almost to the rank of demi-gods, assume more privileges and immunities than so many Emperors of China!"

These flashy, rich young men were lauding it over the campus, based in their windowless tomb of a headquarters, wearing a gold skull and crossbones insignia, and claiming that their secret society dated back to at least 322BC (sic!). This might explain why the number 322 features a great deal in this secret society.

But in 1877, some brave souls broke into its expensive, windowless, mausoleum-like headquarters known as "the tomb" to find out what was going on inside. Immediately on the left was a bookcase with the society's forbidden texts, "handsomely bound", and above a nearby fireplace, a silver skull and bones. On the west wall, there was an engraving depicting an open burial vault with four human skulls placed on a stone slab, grouped around a jester's cap with little bells, an open book, several mathematical instruments, a beggar's scrip, and a royal crown.

Room D was the holy of holies within this temple featuring a life-sized skull and bones inlaid into a black marble hearth with the motto: Rari Quippe Boni. This was inscribed in an Old English text. What wasn't mentioned was their alleged ownership of three distinguished skulls. It's claimed the Skull and bones possess the skulls of former US president, Martin Van Buren; the native American leader Geronimo; and the Mexican revolutionary, Pancho Villa.

Kerry and Bush - top politicians in the Skull and Bones - a secret society

In the spring semester of their junior year at Yale university, two young men - John Kerry and George W. Bush - were tapped on the shoulder and asked: "Skull and Bones - accept or reject?" This happened a couple of years apart - Kerry in 1965 and Bush in 1967. They both accepted and joined one of America's most notorious secret societies. Nearly forty years later, Bush and Kerry ran against each other to be President of the United States. Bush was re-elected to lead the free world.

Back in their Yale days, they both attended meetings in The Tomb. This is a highly exclusive fraternity where members are sworn to lifetime secrecy. When both Kerry and Bush were asked about Skull and Bones during the 2004 presidential election, neither of them was prepared to discuss any details. While some may regard the whole thing as a bit of joke, it is nevertheless a network where members have political, business, and judicial leaders on speed dial. George W. Bush appointed Bonesmen to key positions in his administration as president.

There are other secret societies at Yale but Skull and Bones is the oldest, dating back to 1832. Members must divulge very intimate details about themselves which are then retained by the society. They also have to make a financial commitment to support Skull and Bones. It's reported that the first black member was admitted in 1965.

There are recurring nicknames used which have recognised meanings. "Long Devil" for the tallest member. "Boaz" to a varsity football captain. The least sexually experienced member is called "Gog" while the most experienced is "Magog". George Bush senior - president of the US after Ronald Reagan - was called Magog. His son, George W., got the name "Temporary" because he was not assigned any of the usual nicknames.

The connection of Skull and Bones to American presidents goes right back to its early days. One of the original founders was Alphonso Taft, a Civil War era diplomat and politician, whose son - William Howard Taft - went on to become US president from 1909 to 1913 and was the only president to ever serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as well. Both Tafts, father and son, were Skull and Bones members.