Order of the Pug

The Order of the Pug (German: Mops-Orden) was a para-Masonic society founded by Roman Catholics.

The novices were blindfolded and led nine times around a carpet with symbols on it, while the Pugs of the order barked loudly to test the steadiness of the newcomers.

During the initiation, the novices also had to kiss a porcelain pug's backside under its tail as an expression of devotion to the order.

The members of the order would stand around the initiate in a circle, holding out a rapier or a mirror in one hand and a pug in the other.

At the end of the Rococo period, the initiate also had to undergo the ceremonial presentation of hand signals and slogans.