Seven Society

The Seven Society (founded circa 1905) is most secretive of the University of Virginia's secret societies, members of which are only revealed after their death when a wreath of black magnolias in the shape of a "7" is placed at the gravesite and the bell tower at the University chimes at seven second intervals for seven minutes..

The formation of the society is only speculated at with the rumor that, of eight men who planned to meet for a card game, only seven showed up.

A senior society, students are "tapped" for admission during their junior year and become members during their senior year at UVA.

The most noted tradition of the Society is the painting of the number "7" upon the grounds "campus" of the University.

The group contributes financially to the University, announcing donations with letters signed only with seven astronomical symbols in the order: Earth, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Neptune, Uranus, and Venus. Saturn and Pluto are not included. The Society gives large monetary donations and scholarships to the University each year in increments of 7 (i.e. $777, $7,777, $21,777). In addition to granting spontaneous gifts, it sponsors an annual $7,000 graduate fellowship award for superb teaching

These traditions are quite similar to those of the secret society of the seven, which lead many to believe the two societies are somehow related or affiliated.