Rainbow Fraternity

Last updated
Rainbow Fraternity
W.W.W.
Rainbow Fraternity Badge, circa 1898.jpg
Rainbow Fraternity badge for Vanderbilt University chapter, circa 1898
Founded1849;175 years ago (1849)
University of Mississippi
Type Social
AffiliationIndependent
StatusMerged
Merge Date1886
Successor Delta Tau Delta
ScopeRegional (Southern United States)
Colors  Red
  Orange
  Yellow
  Green
  Cyan
  Blue
  Violet
SymbolRainbow
Patron Greek divinity Iris
PublicationThe Rainbow
Chapters13
Other namesMystic Sons of Iris and W.W.W. Society
Headquarters
United States

Rainbow Fraternity, also known as Mystic Sons of Iris and W.W.W. Society, was a United States-based fraternity founded in the antebellum south that merged with Delta Tau Delta in 1886.

Contents

History

Founding and early years

Rainbow Fraternity was founded at the University of Mississippi in 1849 by seven students who had recently transferred from La Grange Synodical College, now a defunct college in Tennessee. [1] [2] [3] The seven founders were John Bayliss Earle, John Bannister Herring, James Hamilton Mason, Robert Muldrow, Joshua Long Halbert, Marlborough Pegues, and Drew William Bynum. [2]

Officially, the founders called their organization the Mystic Sons of Iris. In Greek mythology, Iris was the personification and deity of the rainbow, and the group's founders went to great lengths to incorporate symbolism connected to the rainbow of Iris into the fraternity's emblems and constitution. The original constitution, for example, was divided and subdivided into sections of seven (for the seven colors of the rainbow). There were seven officers for the chapter, each of which wore the fraternity's emblem enameled with one of the rainbow's colors. The ritual of initiation, too, contained seven portions, or degrees. Due to these associations, the Mystic Sons of Iris quickly came to be called simply Rainbow Fraternity or the W.W.W. Society.

Its second chapter came in the form of a colony at La Grange Synodical College. [4]

The fraternity initially would only accept seven members at any one time, a tribute to the number of its founders, and no man from a northern state could be initiated. The low membership count that resulted led Rainbow Fraternity's to dormancy during the American Civil War. It was revived at the University of Mississippi, after the close of hostilities, spreading to several other schools in the south, and no longer confined by a membership cap. [2]

Map showing the growth of Rainbow Fraternity Rainbow Growth.gif
Map showing the growth of Rainbow Fraternity

Merger with Delta Tau Delta

On December 16, 1884, representatives from Rainbow Fraternity and Delta Tau Delta met in Nashville, Tennessee to finalize the terms of a merger of the two fraternities, the idea of consolidation having been informally discussed for the preceding two years. [4] At the time, Delta Tau Delta president W.W. Cook explained the purpose of the merger was "to get a standing in good universities of the South, and the Rainbows had a corresponding design toward Northern colleges." [5]

The Rainbow chapter at Southwestern University initially expressed optimism about the merger with Delta Tau Delta. As the terms of the compact became clearer, however, members began to have doubts. Rainbows at the University of Texas contacted their brothers at Southwestern and suggested both houses surrender their charters and defect to Phi Delta Theta, which had indicated it would be receptive to absorbing the displaced Rainbow members. In doing so, the Southwestern chapter became a new chapter of Phi Delta Theta, while the members of the Texas chapter were simply initiated into the existing Phi Delta Theta chapter on that campus. [6]

Three other Rainbow chapters, at the University of Tennessee, Emory and Henry College, and Chamberlain-Hunt Academy were unwanted by Delta Tau Delta and Rainbow Fraternity withdrew the charters from those chapters so they would not be included in the consolidation. In the end, the Delta Tau Delta-Rainbow merger resulted in the larger fraternity only acquiring the Rainbow chapters at the University of Mississippi and Vanderbilt University, a process that became official in early 1886. [7] At least one observer at the time questioned whether the Rainbow Fraternity had, in fact, merged with Delta Tau Delta or it was rather the case that two of its chapters had simply bolted Rainbow Fraternity for the Delts. The heart of the question is whether the charters of Tennessee, Emory and Henry, and Chamberlain-Hunt had been legitimately revoked. The secret nature of the Rainbow constitution makes a more thorough assessment impossible. [8]

During its existence, Rainbow Fraternity had also chartered chapters at Wofford College, Furman University, Erskine College, Southern Presbyterian University, and Neophogen College. All of these were inactive by the time the merger with Delta Tau Delta occurred. [2]

Revival

In 1889, Rainbow Fraternity was briefly revived at Wofford College by an alumnus who hadn't received the news that the fraternity had merged with Delta Tau Delta. It subsequently disbanded on learning the fate of its parent organization. [2]

Symbols

Rainbow Fraternity's colors were the seven colors of the rainbow and its emblem was the rainbow. [3] Its patron Greek divinity was Iris. For many years, its password was "W.W.W." [3]

The fraternity's original badge was modeled after the Roman fasces, consisting of a half cylinder and a bundle of seven rods surrounded by a Roman hatchet. [3] [9] The rods were held by three bands that were colored with one of the seven rainbow colors, with each of the chapter's seven members having a badge featuring a different color. [3]

The badge was changed in 1874 to a semicircle rainbow above three Ws. [3] [9] The middle W was twice the size of the outer two and was decorated with seven stones; the badge's owner could select the stones' color. [3] Over the middle W, under the rainbow, was the chapter's initial letters. [3] Although this badge was originally designed to have the rainbow in enameled rainbow colors, it was more often made with a black enamel rainbow shape that was surrounded by a narrow band of color. [3]

The Rainbow Fraternity's seal was identical to its second badge, with the addition of two surrounding circles. [3] The words “Enios Iridos” was located between the circles, at the top. [3] The university's name was located between the circles at the bottom. [3]

Chapters

Following is a list of Rainbow Fraternity's s chapters. [10] Inactive chapters and institutions are indicated in italic.

ChapterChartered/RangeInstitutionLocationStatusReferences
S.A.1849–1861, 1867–1886 University of Mississippi Oxford, Mississippi Merged [11] [9] [12] [10] [lower-alpha 1]
A. First1858–1861 La Grange Synodical College La Grange, Tennessee Inactive [12] [10] [1] [lower-alpha 2]
L.K.S. First1871–1874 Furman University Greenville, South Carolina Inactive [10] [9] [lower-alpha 3]
L.T. FirstMay 15, 1872 – 1880; 1881–1884 Erskine College Due West, South Carolina Inactive [9] [10] [lower-alpha 4]
I.A.November 21, 1873 – 1874 Southern Presbyterian College Clarksville, Tennessee Inactive [9] [10] [13]
L.S.1874–1875, 1889–1890 ? Wofford College Spartanburg, South Carolina Inactive [10] [9] [lower-alpha 5]
D. of V.1874–1874 Neophogen College Cross Plains, Tennessee Inactive [10] [9] [lower-alpha 3]
A. Second1880–1886 Chamberlain-Hunt Academy Port Gibson, Mississippi Inactive [10] [lower-alpha 6]
I.P.1881–1886 Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee Merged [11] [9] [10] [lower-alpha 7]
R. of V.1882–1886 Southwestern University Georgetown, Texas Withdrew (ΦΔΘ) [10] [lower-alpha 8]
L.K.S.1883–1886 University of Texas Austin, Texas Withdrew (ΦΔΘ) [10] [lower-alpha 9]
L.T. Second1884–1886 Emory and Henry College Emory, Virginia Inactive [14] [10] [lower-alpha 10]
D.V.1884–1886 University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Inactive [10] [14] [lower-alpha 6]
Rainbow Fraternity's magazine became the publication of Delta Tau Delta. The Rainbow.png
Rainbow Fraternity's magazine became the publication of Delta Tau Delta.
  1. Chapter went defunct in 1861 because of the Civil War. After reforming, it became the Pi chapter of Delta Tau Delta with the national merger of the two fraternities in 1886.
  2. Chapter went defunct when the college closed in 1861 because of the Civil War.
  3. 1 2 Charter was withdrawn by fraternity.
  4. Charter was withdrawn in 1880 but was reissued shortly afterwards.
  5. Charter was withdrawn by the fraternity in 1875. Alumni re-established the chapter, but it was closed after they realized the national fraternity had merged with Delta Tau Delta.
  6. 1 2 This chapter's charter was withdrawn at the time of the national fraternity's merger with Delta Tau Delta in 1886
  7. This became the executive chapter in 1883. In 1886, it became the Lambda chapter of Delta Tau Delta with the national merger of the two fraternities.
  8. Instead of joining its national fraternity's merger with Delta Tau Delta, this chapter became the Texas Gamma chapter of Phi Delta Theta.
  9. Instead of joining its national fraternity's merger with Delta Tau Delta, this chapter withdrew and merged with the Texas Beta chapter of Phi Delta Theta.
  10. The chapter's charter was withdrawn at the time of the national fraternity's merger with Delta Tau Delta in 1886. Most of its members joined the existing Virginia Pi chapter of Alpha Epsilon chapter.

Legacy

Under the terms of its merger with Delta Tau Delta, several elements of the Rainbow Fraternity were preserved. [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta Tau Delta</span> North American collegiate fraternity

Delta Tau Delta (ΔΤΔ) is a United States-based international Greek letter college fraternity. Delta Tau Delta was founded at Bethany College, Bethany, Virginia, in 1858. The fraternity currently has around 130 collegiate chapters and colonies nationwide, with an estimated 10,000 undergraduate members and over 170,000-lifetime members. Delta Tau Delta is informally referred to as "DTD" or "Delts."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theta Kappa Nu</span> American collegiate fraternity (1924–1939)

Theta Kappa Nu (ΘΚΝ) fraternity was an American national collegiate fraternity founded in 1924 by delegates from eleven local fraternities. It merged with Lambda Chi Alpha in 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theta Kappa Psi</span> American professional medicine fraternity

Theta Kappa Psi Medical Fraternity, Incorporated, (ΘΚΨ) is a North American professional medical fraternity. As of 2023, it operates as an independent local fraternity with one active chapter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theta Upsilon Omega</span> American collegiate fraternity (1924–1938)

Theta Upsilon Omega (ΘΥΩ), was a national collegiate fraternity in the United States. Representatives of several local fraternities at a December 1, 1923 meeting of locals, organized by the National Interfraternity Conference, determined to form a new national through amalgamation, resulting in the creation of Theta Upsilon Omega on May 2, 1924.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phi Alpha Gamma</span> American professional fraternity

Phi Alpha Gamma (ΦΑΓ) was a professional fraternity for homeopathic medicine founded at the New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1894. Once the largest medical fraternity in the United States, It merged with Phi Chi in 1948.

This article describes smaller collegiate sororities created in the nineteenth century and early to middle twentieth century on campuses in the United States and Canada. These sororities are defunct. Individual chapters may have affiliated with National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta Sigma Epsilon (sorority)</span> Defunct American collegiate sorority

Delta Sigma Epsilon (ΔΣΕ) was a national collegiate social sorority founded at Miami University, operating in the United States from 1914 to 1956. It was originally a member of the Association of Education Sororities (AES) before the AES's merger with the National Panhellenic Conference, and most of its chapters were located at teaching colleges. The sorority was absorbed by Delta Zeta sorority on August 21, 1956.

Phi Omega Pi (ΦΩΠ) was a national collegiate sorority operating in the United States from 1922 until 1946 when its chapters were absorbed by several larger sororities, and merged with the national sorority, Delta Zeta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theta Upsilon</span> American collegiate womens fraternity (1921–1962)

Theta Upsilon (ΘΥ) was a national women's fraternity operating in the United States from February 1921 until May 1962, when the group was absorbed by the Delta Zeta sorority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omega Upsilon Phi</span> International medical fraternity (1894–1934)

Omega Upsilon Phi (ΩΥΦ) was a professional medical fraternity founded at the University at Buffalo in 1894. It merged with Phi Beta Pi in 1934.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpha Lambda Tau</span> American collegiate fraternity (1916–1946)

Alpha Lambda Tau (ΑΛΤ) was a men's college fraternity founded in 1916 at Oglethorpe University. For its first decade Alpha Lambda Tau permitted expansion only within the southern states. At the start of its fourth decade, in 1946, the national organization of Alpha Lambda Tau dissolved; the majority of its chapters affiliated with Tau Kappa Epsilon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kappa Sigma Kappa</span> International collegiate fraternity (defunct)

Kappa Sigma Kappa (ΚΣΚ) is the name of three separate college fraternities, sharing a common history and traditions but disconnected by decades and a break in organizational continuity. The original incarnation of Kappa Sigma Kappa was formed at Virginia Military Institute on September 28, 1867. Most of its active chapters merged into Phi Delta Theta in 1886.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpha Kappa Pi</span> Defunct American collegiate social fraternity

Alpha Kappa Pi (ΑΚΠ) was an American collegiate social fraternity founded in 1921 at the Newark College of Engineering. In 1946, it merged with Alpha Sigma Phi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beta Kappa</span> American collegiate fraternity (1901–1942)

Beta Kappa (ΒΚ) was an American social fraternity founded at Hamline University in 1901. It merged with Theta Chi in 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta Sigma Lambda</span> Defunct American collegiate fraternity

Delta Sigma Lambda (ΔΣΛ) was a social fraternity founded on September 9, 1921, formed entirely of members of the Order of DeMolay. It continued for about fifteen years, numbering 12 chapters in its rolls, with several closing in the early years of the Great Depression. Delta Sigma Lambda's remaining chapters either disbanded or were absorbed by other fraternities by 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sigma Tau Phi</span> Defunct American collegiate Jewish fraternity

Sigma Tau Phi (ΣΤΦ) was a historically Jewish fraternity founded in 1918 and which merged into Alpha Epsilon Pi (ΑΕΠ) in 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpha Gamma Upsilon</span> Defunct American collegiate fraternity

Alpha Gamma Upsilon (ΑΓΥ) was a social fraternity founded in 1922 at Anthony Wayne Institute in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In May 1965, it was absorbed in part by Alpha Sigma Phi (ΑΣΦ).

Beta Phi Delta (ΒΦΘ) was a three-state regional American fraternity, established in 1917. It ceased operations in 1948 with four remaining chapters. Of these, three would go on to merge into other national fraternities.

References

  1. 1 2 Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (April 10, 2023) "LaGrange Symodical College". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities . Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. Alcolm. 1905. pp. 444–447.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Churchhill, C. Robert. "The Rainbow Fraternity". Epsilon Mu Chapter | Delta Tau Delta | Ball State University. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  4. 1 2 American College Fraternities. Lippincott. 1890. pp. 105–106.
  5. "Two Secret Societies United" (PDF). New York Times . New York, NY. 28 March 1885. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  6. "A Misunderstanding". The Scroll. April 1897. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  7. "The Rainbow or W.W.W." The University Magazine. January 1891. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  8. "Greek Press". Kappa Alpha Journal. October 1889. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "History of the Rainbow Chapter". The Rainbow. IX (VII): 195–196. April 1886 via Google Books.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (December 3, 2022) "W.W.W. Rainbow". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities . Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Pi Chapter Installed the University of Mississippi". www.delts.org. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  12. 1 2 Baird, William Raimond, editor. American College Fraternities, 4th edition. New York: James P. Downs, 1890. p. 105. via Hathi Trust.
  13. Randal Rust. "Austin Peay State University". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  14. 1 2 Baird, Wm Raimond (1905). "Baird's manual of American college fraternities". Baird's Manual, American College Fraternities (6th ed.). New York: The Alcolm Company: 445–446.
  15. "The Consolidation of the Delta Tau Delta and Rainbow". The Crescent. October 1885.
  16. "Insignia". bsudelts.org. Epsilon Mu of Delta Tau Delta. Retrieved 18 December 2014.