Top 5 Most exclusive secret societies in the world + Their devilish signs. Most Nigerian celebs belong to No.1 (Photos)

Secret societies are typically groups whose rituals and activities are hidden away from non-members. Since the time of the crusades, hundreds of secret societies have been formed from different parts of the world to serve diverse political, social and religious purposes.

Here is a list of the 25 biggest secret societies to ever exist as well as a glimpse at the conspiracy theories associated with them. While some of them are believed to be fictitious or have already been dissolved, traces of their existence or their legend remain apparent even until today.

5. Skull and Bones

Informally known as “Bones,” Skull and Bones is a secret society that evolved from a group of senior students from Yale University. The senior class of Yale founded the organization in 1832 to show its resistance to the debating societies of the university – Linonia, Brothers in Unity and the Calliopean Society. Much like the Illuminati, this society is sometimes theorized to play a critical role in global conspiracies that aim to dominate the world.

4. Rosicrucians

Devoted to the pursuit of esoteric wisdom, the Rosicrucians is a secret organization founded between the 16th and 17th century to spread occult doctrines and occult powers. By the dawn of the 17th century, two books were published to allude to the rituals of Rosicrucians, which generally bring together elements of Egyptian Hermeticism, Gnosticism as well as Jewish Cabalism. It is believed that Isaac Newton was a member of this secret organization.

3. The Sons of Liberty

The Sons of Liberty was a group consisting of American patriots that originated in the pre-independence North American British colonies. The group was formed to protect the rights of the colonists and to take to the streets against the taxes by the British government. They are best known for undertaking the Boston Tea Party in 1773, which led to the Intolerable Acts (an intense crackdown by the British government), and a counter-mobilization by the Patriots.

2. Freemasonry

A fraternal society that was established between the 16th and 17th century, Freemasonry has over six million members today and remains actively engaged in the conduct of charitable works in the secluded communities of Scotland and England. Its members uphold the constitution drafted by Scottish minister James Anderson, where the establishment of fraternal friendship is central.

1. Illuminati

“Illuminati” typically refers to various organizations claiming or purported to have unsubstantiated links to the original (and very real) Bavarian Illuminati or similar secret societies, and often alleged to conspire to control world affairs by masterminding events and planting agents in government and corporations to establish a New World Order and gain further political power and influence.

Central to some of the most widely known and elaborate conspiracy theories, the Illuminati have been depicted as lurking in the shadows and pulling the strings and levers of power in dozens of novels, movies, television shows, comics, video games, and music videos.