YALE SECRET SOCIETIES
Since the early nineteenth century, Yale University has been home to a number of secret student societies, exclusive organisations that serve many of the same purposes as fraternities and sororities at other American universities, yet with an added element of secrecy and ritualised tradition.
The oldest of these, the Skull and Bones Society, was founded in 1832 and quickly became a powerful and much-discussed institution within Yale life. Its rivals, Scroll and Key (founded in 1842) and Wolf’s Head (founded in 1883), followed in similar fashion. By the late twentieth century, approximately eighteen such societies were active at Yale, each maintaining its own customs, rules, and carefully guarded meeting places.
While each society preserves its unique character, most follow the pattern first established by Skull and Bones. Each year, a fixed number of students—usually fifteen—are selected for membership and initiated before the beginning of their senior year. These initiation rites, like those of older fraternities, blend nineteenth-century ritual melodrama with undergraduate pranks and symbolic pledges of loyalty. Once initiated, members meet twice weekly in their society’s private building—known in Yale slang as a “tomb.”
These tombs are deliberately imposing, windowless structures, designed to inspire secrecy and exclusivity. Within their walls, members dine, discuss, and carry out ceremonies that have changed little in over a century. After graduation, alumni are encouraged to remain involved—providing social connections, financial aid, and professional opportunities to younger members.
The societies’ combination of secrecy, exclusiveness, and enduring influence has made them a frequent target of public fascination and conspiracy theories. The Skull and Bones Society, in particular, has drawn the most attention due to its age, prestige, and political connections. Both George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, former U.S. presidents, were members during their years at Yale, fuelling speculation that the society exerts influence over American politics and business.
Though many of these claims remain unproven, Yale’s secret societies continue to symbolise an enduring intersection of privilege, secrecy, and power within American higher education.
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Societies : the ultimate a-z of ancient mysteries, lost civilizations and forgotten wisdom written by John Michael Greer – © John Michael Greer 2006
Revised Edition — Occult World
This article was reviewed and refined by Occult World, blending verified historical insight with esoteric understanding. All texts follow British English spelling. – Updated: 19th of October 2025
