Knights of Pythias Emblem
Work, Keeper of Records and Seal, Master of Finance, Master of Exchequer, Master at Arms, Inner Guard, and Outer Guard. The Knights “are pledged to the promotion of understanding among men of good will as the surest means of attaining Universal Peace.” The order’s central symbols are: a sword on an open Bible; skull and cross bones; sprig of myrtle; and a knight’s helmet with visor, headsman axe, and knight's sword. Each local lodge conveyed three degrees called “Page,” “Esquire” and “Knight” that teach the order’s tenets of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. In 1892 an extended version of the Knight Degree was added. Mystic Tie, Knights of Pythias, G.H. Buek and Company, New York, New York, 1888, National Heritage Museum.
the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Although it was still solvent, the Supreme Lodge worried it might become a liability. It was severed from the Knights and re- incorporated as United Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1930 and later became the American United Life Insurance Company. Like so many other fraternal orders, the Pythians created numerous auxiliaries. The Uniform Rank, similar to the Knights Templar, was the semi-military parade corp of the Pythians.
“If fraternal love
held all men bound, how beautiful this world would be.”
— Justus H. Rathbone
This “long-form” featured a journey through Hades with the candidate meeting Pluto and the great philosopher, Pythagoras. Lastly, the Knights of Pythias created an Endowment Rank in 1887 to sell life insurance. It was created in part to get around many state laws. The Endowment Rank functioned well until
12 February 2008 / The Northern Light
The Pythian Sisters for Women was begun in 1877 but not formally recognized until 1904. Unlike the Order of the Eastern Star, the Sisters were wholly independent from their brother knights. For children the Knights created the Junior Order for boys 14-17 in 1923 while the Pythian Sunshine Girls began in 1930. Lastly, the Knights created their own Shrinerlike organization called the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (D.O.K.K.). The “Dokey’s” were officially recognized in 1914 as the "Playground of the Order." Along with fraternal, social and activities, the Knights support local and state charities while national it has long supported the Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation.