(Expecting a different sort
of mole? Please click here.)


An initiation ceremony into the Royal Order of the Mole is an exciting way to end the school year. The students have been asking about the "secret society" since the start of school and now it is time for mysteries to be revealed.

The teacher dons the royal garments (goggles and lab coat) and proceeds.

"The Royal Order of the Mole was conceived in 1977 to provide chemistry students with an honor befitting their noble achievement. It was felt that anyone having subjected themselves to such things as acids, ions, isotopes, and reducing agents must surely be a person worthy of membership in a noble society. Be proud that you now join the ranks of hundreds of other Royal Order of the Mole members who move unceasingly forward to equilibrium."

"I will now convey the secrets of our Royal Order. These secrets must never be revealed to unoxidized personnel."

"Our royal symbols have been a part of the room decor all year. The Erlenmeyer flask represents the title of Grand Imperial Erlenmeyer soon to be bestowed on each of you. The thistle tube symbolizes the thorny path through chemistry. Inside the flask is a broken test tube representing what you did to my glassware this year! The liquid in the flask bears the official royal color-'pink imagination,' the phenolphthalein end point color."
"Many secret societies have a special handshake that is used to identify members. The Royal Order of the Mole has a secret hand and arm sign. The hands are placed in front of the royal member with the backs of the hands touching and the thumbs down. The fingers are moved back and forth in unison. This sign may be used when a Grand Imperial Erlenmeyer approaches a group of people and only other royal members will recognize his or her true identity. The uninitiated will simply think he or she is unbalanced. The mole-like movement of the hands is really a diversion to draw the non-members' attention from the actual symbolism. The secret symbol is a benzene ring formed by the lower arms, upper arms, and both shoulders."
Drawn by James Palmer
Wright Center 1996

"As royal mentor, I now confirm the title of Grand Imperial Erlenmeyer upon each of you and issue you this certificate of proof thereof (see below). You are now entitled to all the peculiar rights and privileges provided to members of the Royal Order of the Mole."

"While this ceremony is done in jest there is one thing that is serious. Your certificate reads, 'Know ye that the worthy,' and then it has your name. This means exactly what it says. You are a valuable and worthy person and I am glad to have had you in my class this year."

"Farewell."



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Royal Order of the Mole

To All Whom
In These Presents Come, Know Ye That The Worthy




Has Endured All The Special Rites Administered During a Course of CHEMISTRY And Is Herewith
Proclaimed To Be A Member Of Our Royal Order With A Title Of
GRAND IMPERIAL ERLENMEYER
It Is The Fervent Wish Of The Undersigned That This Royal Member Receive All the Peculiar Rights And
Privileges That Pertain To This Honor and a Mole of Good Fortune.

6.02 X 1023

Royal Mentor

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(Click if you wish to view a large certificate.)


Text originally published as "The Royal Order of the Mole" by George Leonberger, Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 60, No. 7, July, 1983, pp. 575; copyright © 1983, Division of Chemical Education, Inc. Used with permission of the copyright owner.

Created and maintained by George Leonberger

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