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Sanguine et Purpure
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Concept and Components of
Fraternity Rituals
The source of ritual material for fraternities (and sororities) have
been:
- Freemasonry.
- Other adult lodge groups
(many modeled on Masonry) such as Knights of Pythias, Knights of
Columbus, Order of Odd Fellows, International Order of Foresters,
Knights of Malta, Templars, etc.
- Religious books and
liturgies such as wedding, funeral, and worship services, as well as
the Bible, Torah, and Koran.
- Eventually, other Greek
organizations, especially men assisting women in developing rituals as
sororities evolve, but also men of one fraternity assisting men
starting new fraternities.
- Historical rituals of early
civilizations (Mithra/the Orient, Greece/Orphic and Eleusinian
mysteries, Africa/Egypt)
Characteristically,
there are five basic ritual tenets:
- Character
(honor, leadership, morality, truth, loyalty)
- Scholarship
(academics, intellectual development, pursuit of knowledge)
- Fellowship
(brotherhood/sisterhood, group unity, shared values, brotherhood of
man)
- Service
(to those less fortunate, fellow man, a particular profession)
- Religion
(respect for a higher authority, life after death, sometimes a
particular denomination's views)
Each ritual ceremony uses some
or all of these precepts as part of the theme.
The common
components of rituals include:
 | Preparation
of the candidates and a procedure for admitting the neophyte into the
initiation room. Usually this consists of dressing the
neophyte in a robe, often blindfolding them. The neophyte is lead to a
door where there are knocks on t he door and an exchange of dialogue,
and sometimes an exchange of signs, grips, or passwords that gain the
neophyte and conductor admittance.
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| The
administration of an initiation oath. In most groups, the
chapter president administers the oath. The neophytes are often
standing, but may be kneeling, and may have their right hand raised.
Usually short phrases are recited to the neophyte(s) who then repeat
the phrases. In some, the oath is a series of questions that require
"I will" or "I do" responses. Some of the items
included in the oath may be:
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 | to
keep the secrets of the fraternity
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| to
promote the interests of the fraternity
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| to
obey orders from superiors to strive
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| to
improve himself in the areas of the precepts of the fraternity
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| to
not join any other college social fraternity
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| to
promote the interests of the host institution
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Many oaths end with
the expression referring to God, ie. "so help me God".
| Teaching
of the secrets and symbols of the fraternity. These might
include the passwords, motto, recognition signs, grip, symbolism in
the coat of arms, significance of titles of officers, interpretation
of the fraternity flag, flower, whistle, call, song, etc.
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| Investiture
of the badge/pin. Usually done by the big brother/sponsor
or president, occasionally by another officer.
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| Charge
of responsibility. Often a charge of the responsibilities
of a member is read to the new initiate(s). This is sometimes done by
the president or an alumnus. Some charges are written, some are
extemporaneous. Usually it is read to the new members as a group.
These charges may include encouraging the initiate to fulfill the
ideals and maintain the standards of the fraternity, complete his
college education to the best of his ability, to pursue lifelong
learning, strive for unity, or to serve the fraternity in the future.
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| Prayer.
Many fraternities make use of a prayer at some point in the ritual.
Usually the chaplain stands and offers the prayer. The prayers often
are to an omnipotent deity, asking for loyalty from brothers, and/or
blessings on the fraternity and/or neophytes.
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These are the most common
elements in a fraternity initiation ritual. If you study the history and
background of a fraternity, the background of the founders, consider the
era of the founding and any special purposes behind the group's foundling,
you can probably surmise the elements they are most likely to use.
Other
elements found to be used in rituals but less common include:
| Enrollment
or official registration of the neophyte during initiation
- signifies that the neophyte is officially full member in good
standing.
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| Circle
ceremony - symbolized the acceptance of the neophyte into
the fraternity. Also symbolized unity and harmony among the members.
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| Symbolical
journey - presented to the neophyte, through the use of
personification and sound and sight effects, the ideals and virtues of
the fraternity.
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| "Examination"
or testing of the neophyte - emphasized the
fundamental principles of the fraternity, determined whether the
neophyte was prepared for membership into the fraternity, and
impressed upon the neophyte the necessity of guarding the secrets of
the fraternity.
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| Purification
rite - served the purpose of symbolically cleansing the
neophyte of a former, impure life.
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| Assurance
of good faith - statements made by the members during the
initiation ceremony to the neophyte that nothing harmful would occur
to him during the formal initiation ceremony.
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| Reading
of the constitution - emphasized appropriate behavior to
the neophyte.
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| Meditation
by the neophyte - provided neophyte with the opportunity to reflect
upon the step he was taking by being admitted into the fraternity.
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| Death
and resurrection dramatization - symbolically represented
the giving up of a hopeless, selfish, solitary life and replacing it
with a life full of hope, light, and fraternal love.
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| Silent
dinner - signified the beginning of the formal initiation
ceremony and mentally prepared the neophyte for the initiation
ceremony.
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| Member
rededication - members reaffirming their allegiance to
other members and the ideals of the fraternity.
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| Test/examination
- to make sure the neophyte was prepared to be admitted into the
fraternity.
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