Founded in 1832 at Yale University, Skull and Bones is a secret society shrouded in mystery, exclusivity, and intense curiosity. Over the years, this organization—sometimes called The Order or Order 322—has been linked to some of the most influential individuals in U.S. history, including presidents, government officials, and business leaders.

The real story behind Skull and Bones includes its unusual rituals, secretive membership, and the lasting impact its alumni have had on American culture and politics. Hidden away in a windowless building known as "the tomb," the society's activities and traditions have fueled speculation and fascination for generations.

Much of what is known about Skull and Bones comes from rare interviews and leaked accounts, making reliable information scarce. What draws so many powerful people to its ranks, and how have its secrets shaped their lives and legacies?

Historical Origins of Skull and Bones

The Skull and Bones society has shaped campus life and alumni politics at Yale University since the early 19th century. Its formation, discipline, and growth are closely tied to the university’s traditions and academic environment in New Haven, Connecticut.

Founding of the Society

Skull and Bones was founded in 1832 at Yale University in response to tensions among existing student debating societies.

The founders were William Huntington Russell and Alphonso Taft. Russell, a Yale student, and Taft, who later became U.S. Attorney General and father of President William Howard Taft, sought to create an exclusive organization with distinct rituals, membership, and symbols.

The society was initially known as the "Order of the Skull and Bones" or "Order 322." Its establishment marked a turning point in Yale's student life, emphasizing secrecy and loyalty among its members, who were selected from Yale’s senior class.

Early Influences and Yale University

Yale in the early 1800s was an elite institution, with student organizations frequently in competition for influence. The formation of Skull and Bones mirrored the increasing popularity of secret societies across Ivy League universities.

Historical links have been drawn between Skull and Bones’ imagery and European secret orders like the Knights Templar. The society’s adoption of the skull-and-crossbones symbol suggests inspiration from European traditions and possibly Freemasonry.

Skull and Bones quickly became one of Yale’s most prestigious groups, attracting students from prominent families and fostering strong alumni networks that influenced American business, politics, and academia.

Development of Secret Societies at Yale

By the mid-19th century, the success of Skull and Bones led to a proliferation of other secret societies at Yale. The model established by Skull and Bones—strict secrecy, unique rituals, and selective membership—became a template for later groups such as Scroll and Key and Wolf’s Head.

These societies maintained distinct meeting spaces, often referred to as "tombs," further setting them apart from fraternities and formal clubs. A table comparing key societies:

Society Founded Distinctive Feature Skull and Bones 1832 Skull-and-crossbones motif Scroll and Key 1842 Key as central symbol Wolf’s Head 1883 Wolf’s head emblem

These developments positioned Yale as a central hub for American secret society culture, influencing practices at other elite institutions.

The Tomb: Headquarters and Symbolism

The Skull and Bones’ headquarters, known as the Tomb, stands at 64 High Street in New Haven, Connecticut. Both its design and mysterious traditions play a central role in the reputation for secrecy surrounding Skull and Bones.

Architecture and Interior

The Tomb was constructed in stages, beginning in 1856, and is designed in the style of an imposing, windowless stone building. Its exterior features Greek Revival elements, giving it a stark and fortress-like appearance that reflects the society’s focus on privacy.

Inside, the Tomb contains different chambers decorated with relics, symbols, and memorabilia tied to the group’s history. Some reports mention odd artifacts such as antique swords, skulls, and banners, further fueling its enigmatic image. The interior is not open to the public, and only initiated members are allowed access, emphasizing exclusivity. The combination of heavy doors, secretive passageways, and dim lighting is intended to create a sense of ritual and separation from ordinary campus life.

Significance of the Tomb

The Tomb functions as more than just a physical meeting place; it is a powerful symbol of the society’s legacy and its commitment to secrecy. Its nickname, “Tomb,” suggests themes of rebirth and transformation, which are reflected in Skull and Bones' initiation ceremonies.

Within the Tomb, members receive new names and participate in traditions meant to reinforce their loyalty to the group. The building’s closed-off nature and intimidating architecture have contributed to speculation about its contents and the activities held within. Stories about hidden artifacts or remains serve to heighten the pervasive aura of mystery around the society.

The strong association between the Tomb and secrecy makes it a focal point for public curiosity and speculation regarding Skull and Bones' influence. Its presence on the Yale campus is a constant reminder of longstanding secret society traditions in New Haven.

Membership and Initiation Process

Skull and Bones is known for its secretive methods of choosing new members, its elaborate initiation ceremonies, and a rigid internal structure. Becoming a Bonesman is a selective and ritualistic process intertwined with tradition and symbolism.

Selection and Tap Day

Each spring at Yale, a select group of juniors is chosen during a ceremony called "Tap Day." On this evening, outgoing members, known as Bonesmen, tap new candidates—typically 15 male and female students—on the shoulder, informing them of their selection.

This event is shrouded in secrecy and is carried out with formal precision. Selection criteria are not made public, but strong campus leadership, academic achievement, and social influence often characterize those tapped.

The tradition of Tap Day dates back to the 19th century and serves as a rite of passage within Yale’s campus culture. Participants who accept the invitation are then called “Knights” before full initiation. Declining a tap is rare but does happen.

Initiation Rituals and Traditions

The initiation process for Skull and Bones involves rituals and symbolism closely guarded by its members. Recruits undergo a series of ceremonies in the society's headquarters at Yale, commonly nicknamed the "Tomb." These rituals are designed to bind members together and reinforce secrecy.

Specific details remain confidential, but historical sources describe oaths of secrecy, symbolic gestures, and lectures on the meaning of the society's traditions, such as the significance of the number 322. Initiates move from “Knights” to full “Bonesmen” upon successful completion.

Uniforms, code names, and storytelling are significant parts of the initiation evening. This elaborate rite emphasizes loyalty to the order and marks the beginning of a lifelong association among its participants.

Membership Structure and Hierarchy

The society’s membership and hierarchy are precisely defined. Each new class—around 15 members per year—joins a lineage traced back to the order’s founding in 1832. These are referred to as “Bonesmen,” while those in the yearlong initiation are often called “Knights.”

Seniors lead their class and organize weekly meetings and events. Alumni, known as the “Patriarchs,” sometimes play an advisory role but do not interfere with the undergraduate society's self-governance.

Roles within the society are distributed among the class, such as president, librarian, and other titles. This structure supports both the operational needs and the maintenance of traditions within Skull and Bones.

Notable Members and Influence

Skull and Bones has counted presidents, policymakers, media figures, and business leaders among its ranks. Their involvement has sometimes shaped decisions and driven influence in government, media, and other national institutions.

Presidents and Political Leaders

Several U.S. presidents and top political officials have been members of Skull and Bones. William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, was initiated in 1878 and went on to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as well.

The Bush political dynasty is closely tied to the society. Prescott Bush, a senator, joined in 1917 and his son, George H. W. Bush, later became the 41st U.S. president. George W. Bush, the 43rd president, was also a member, graduating from Yale in 1968.

John Kerry, former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee, was tapped in 1966. The club's legacy in American political power is evident through the number of high-ranking officials linked to it over decades.

Influence in Business and Media

Skull and Bones alumni have held major roles in business, media, and academia. William F. Buckley, founder of the influential conservative magazine National Review, was a member. His journalism and media career had national impact.

McGeorge Bundy, national security advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, shaped U.S. foreign policy during critical Cold War years. Other members have included journalists, academics, and entertainers like actor Paul Giamatti.

The alumni organization fosters lasting professional networks, allowing members to rise quickly through powerful institutions. These connections have quietly influenced industries ranging from publishing to finance.

Rituals, Traditions, and Symbols

Skull and Bones, founded at Yale in 1832, is steeped in unique traditions that set it apart from other collegiate societies. Its rituals and symbols serve as both a source of identity and a guard for its inner workings.

Meaning of the Skull and Crossbones

The society’s most recognizable symbol is the skull and crossbones, often displayed above the number 322. This emblem appears on the society’s building and official documents. The image’s origins connect to secrecy and brotherhood, drawing from long-standing Western symbols of mortality.

Key meanings include:

Memento mori: a reminder of death’s inevitability and the importance of living with purpose.
Secrecy: symbolizing that members will guard the order’s secrets as gravely as their own lives.
Unity: linking all members under a single, instantly recognizable banner.

The number 322 is often associated with the society’s founding date and the club’s original name, the Eulogian Club. Speculation over its meaning has also led to many conspiracy theories, but its true significance remains private within the group.

Society Myths and Ceremonies

Initiations into Skull and Bones feature elaborate rituals, many of which remain undisclosed to outsiders. Historical accounts describe staged ceremonies that include blindfolds, symbolic oaths, and dramatizations centered on secrecy and loyalty.

A notable part of the initiation is the “coffin ritual,” in which a new member is said to be placed inside a coffin and carried through the society’s headquarters. This act symbolizes a kind of symbolic death and rebirth into the order.

List of frequently mentioned ceremonial elements:

Sworn oaths of secrecy
Use of bones, skulls, and other macabre objects
Ritualized storytelling and confession

Stories about these ceremonies—some confirmed, many exaggerated—help fuel the society’s mystique. Members are also expected to keep secret the details of what occurs inside the Tomb, the society’s iconic meeting place. Their strict confidentiality upholds the enduring sense of mystery surrounding Skull and Bones.

Controversies and Conspiracy Theories

Skull and Bones has drawn national attention due to claims about missing artifacts, alleged organizational ties to powerful secret societies, and its rumored role in shaping U.S. history. Some of these stories are documented while others remain unproven or highly speculative.

Geronimo and the Missing Skull

One of the most persistent controversies surrounding Skull and Bones centers on the legend that its members stole the skull of Apache leader Geronimo. The story claims that Bonesmen, including Prescott Bush—father of former President George H.W. Bush—removed Geronimo’s remains from his grave at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1918.

The alleged theft has been the subject of lawsuits filed by Geronimo’s descendants, who seek the return of his remains. Despite these claims, hard evidence supporting the story is lacking. Yale University and Skull and Bones have denied involvement, though a letter uncovered in the "Secrets of the Tomb" book references the alleged skull. The tale persists as one of the most notorious and sensitive issues linked to the society.

Links to the Illuminati and Freemasons

Speculation about Skull and Bones' connections to the Illuminati and Freemasons has fueled conspiracy theories for generations. The Illuminati, originally the Bavarian Illuminati founded in 1776, and the Freemasons are often cited in theories about secret global power networks.

Skull and Bones has adopted some symbols, such as the skull-and-crossbones motif, similar to those used by Freemasons and other secret groups. Critics point to certain rituals and language that echo Masonic traditions. Despite this, historians find no concrete evidence directly connecting Skull and Bones to these organizations. Theories about a "New World Order" often list Skull and Bones alongside the Illuminati and Freemasons as part of a supposed hidden elite, but these remain unsubstantiated.

Influence on Historical Events

Skull and Bones has produced several prominent members, including presidents, cabinet officials, and influential business leaders. This has led to claims that the society has covertly influenced major political and historical events.

Allegations include ties to the Kennedy assassination, involvement in the Manhattan Project, and the shaping of U.S. foreign policy during World War I and beyond. Researchers have used membership lists and personal connections to suggest patterns of influence. However, evidence of direct orchestration remains absent. Published works like "Secrets of the Tomb" highlight these connections but stop short of verifying vast conspiracies. Rather, they illustrate the concentration of Ivy League influence in American power structures.

Cultural Impact and Modern Perception

Skull and Bones has influenced not only Yale traditions but also broader discussions about power, privilege, and secrecy in American society. Its evolution, membership, and notable connections continue to shape how people understand elite institutions today.

Depictions in Popular Culture

Skull and Bones has frequently appeared in films, books, and television shows focused on secret societies and conspiracies. Movies like “The Skulls” and documentaries regularly use the society as an example of real-life mystery and exclusivity.

The society’s link to the Russell Trust Association and its private retreat, Deer Island on the St. Lawrence River, has fueled intrigue and speculation. Writers often contrast Skull and Bones with other academic organizations, such as Phi Beta Kappa, highlighting Bones’ secretive practices and unique initiation rituals.

Popular narratives usually emphasize symbols, rumored influence in politics, and connections among alumni. This persistent representation shapes the public’s understanding and cements the society’s image as both glamorous and suspicious.

Public Fascination and Criticism

There is ongoing public fascination with who joins Skull and Bones and what influence its members may hold in business, government, and culture. High-profile alumni, including several U.S. presidents and senators, add to this perception of outsized impact.

Criticism often focuses on the society’s history of exclusivity and secret decision-making. In recent years, Skull and Bones has faced scrutiny over diversity, prompting changes such as the admission of women and minorities to its ranks.

Speculation and skepticism remain, with debates around transparency, equity, and the role of private institutions in producing American leadership. This modern perception keeps Skull and Bones at the center of conversations about tradition, privilege, and reform.

The Secret History of Skull and Bones Unveiling Yale’s Mysterious Society