The Knights of Pythias, a society based on the Greek story of friendship from 400 B. C. between Damon and Pythias, became the very first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an Act of the United States Congress.

Pythians promote cooperation and friendship between people of good will, find happiness through service to mankind, believe that friendship is essential in life, view home life as a top priority, show an interest in public affairs, enhance their home communities, respect and honor the law of the land, and expand their influence with people of like interests and energy.

The symbol in the marker above features many of the symbols that are significant to the Knights of Pythias.  A knight’s helmet, above a shield with three letters, “F”, “C”, and “B”, which stand for their motto, FRIENDSHIP, CHARITY, and BENEVOLENCE, surrounded by swords, battle axes, and a spear, representing the weapons that were used against their enemies.  The secondary shield also displays the skull and cross bones, one of as many as 20,000 different symbols used by the Pythians.

Greenwood Hills Cemetery, Portland, Oregon