Afraternal order is a voluntary membership organisation structured as anorder, typically featuring initiation rituals and elements derived fromreligious orders,chivalric traditions,guilds, orsecret societies. While drawing on these historical models, fraternal orders generally servesecular purposes: functioning as social clubs, cultural organisations, and providers ofmutual aid or charitable services.^[1] Manyfriendly societies,benefit societies, andmutual organisations are organised as fraternal orders.

The earliest fraternal orders emerged in the eighteenth century in theUnited Kingdom and theUnited States, with theFreemasons andOdd Fellows among the most prominent examples.^[2] The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw a proliferation of new orders, including theBenevolent and Protective Order of Elks, theFraternal Order of Eagles, theKnights of Pythias, theIndependent Order of Foresters, theKnights of Columbus, and theLoyal Order of Moose. By the late nineteenth century, an estimated 350 fraternal orders enrolled more than six million members, representing over a third of adult American men.^[3] This period of rapid growth, lasting from roughly 1870 to 1920, is sometimes called the "Golden age of fraternalism".^[4]

Fraternal orders have frequently evolved through splits, mergers, and reorganisations. The Independent Order of Foresters, for example, was established in 1874 when it separated from theAncient Order of Foresters (also known as Foresters Friendly Society), which itself had formed from theRoyal Foresters Society in 1834. Such complex histories mean that different, unrelated organisations sometimes share similar names, making the genealogy of fraternal orders difficult to trace.

TheGreat Depression and the rise of government welfare programmes contributed to a decline in fraternal membership beginning in the 1930s.^[1] As the state assumed many of the social insurance functions previously provided by lodges, fraternal orders increasingly emphasised social activities and community service over mutual aid.^[1]

Fraternal orders are typically divided geographically into local units calledlodges, which may be grouped into larger administrative divisions known asprovinces or grand lodges.^[5] Each lodge generally manages its own affairs while maintaining affiliation with a broader order. Reciprocal agreements between lodges allow members who relocate to join a new lodge without repeating initiation procedures.

The ceremonies and rituals of lodges are generally uniform throughout an order, though individual lodges occasionally change their affiliation, orders merge, or groups of lodges break away to form new organisations.

Fraternal orders commonly employ elaborate systems ofritual,symbolism, and regalia.^[4] These may include:

• Initiation ceremonies anddegrees of membership
• Awards,medals, anddecorations
• Styles,offices, and ranks
• Secret greetings, signs, passwords, andoaths
• Distinctiveregalia and insignia

These elements often draw on the traditions of chivalric orders, religious orders, and guild systems.^[6]

Fraternal orders vary considerably in their purposes and affiliations.^[2]

Social and benevolent orders form the largest category, providing fellowship, mutual aid, and charitable activities. Examples include theIndependent Order of Odd Fellows, theLoyal Order of Moose, and theIndependent Order of Rechabites. Many of these orders operated systems of sickness and death benefits, and some established orphanages, hospitals, and homes for the elderly.^[1]

Ethnic and religious orders serve particular communities.^[7] TheAncient Order of Hibernians andOrder of Alhambra cater toIrish Catholics, while theOrange Order servesIrish Protestants. TheKnights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organisation open to men of all ethnic backgrounds. African Americans, excluded from most white fraternal orders, established parallel organisations such asPrince Hall Freemasonry (founded 1784) and theGrand United Order of Odd Fellows (founded 1843).^[3]

Political orders have pursued various ideological agendas, sometimes radical or militant. TheNativist andanti-CatholicOrder of the Star Spangled Banner andOrder of United Americans were active in the 1840s United States.^[2] TheKu Klux Klan, founded in 1866 and refounded in 1915, adopted the structure and rituals of fraternal orders while promotingwhite supremacy.^[4]

Professional orders are organised around specific occupations, such as theFraternal Order of Police.^[2]

Academic orders includefraternities and sororities associated with colleges and universities, which maintain many of the traditions of older fraternal orders.^[8]

Humorous or satirical orders parody the conventions of fraternal organisations.E Clampus Vitus, founded in the nineteenth century, mocks the elaborate rituals and grandiose titles of traditional orders.^[2]

• List of general fraternities
• List of social fraternities
• List of social sororities and women's fraternities
• Friendly society
• Benefit society

• Fraternal orders

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata