Knights of Pythias
Knights of Pythias
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Knights of Pythias

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Knights of Pythias

The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C., on February 19, 1864. The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress.

The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C., on February 19, 1864. The Knights of Pythias is the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress.

The order was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the historic Greek legend of Damon and Pythias that illustrates the Pythagorean ideals of loyalty, honor, and friendship that are the center of the order.

Membership in the organization was originally restricted to whites only. African Americans formed their own organization, the Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

In 2003, the order had over 2,000 lodges in the United States and around the world, with a total membership of over 50,000. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles.

The initials F.C.B. are often inscribed on the order's swords, lapel pins, and crest. The initials stand for "Friendship, Charity, Benevolence," which is the motto of the Knights of Pythias. Its logo features the letters FCB, from its motto, with the colors blue, yellow, and red on an inverted triangle.

Early in the group's history, when a man was inducted into the Knights of Pythias, he received a ceremonial sword. Such a sword might be given to a Pythian by family members, business associates, or others as a token of esteem.

Markings on swords varied widely. Most swords were inscribed with the initials "FCB", which stand for the Pythian motto. Images on swords were also somewhat common, and included:

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