It is dedicated to the Roman god Bacchus, the fine arts, and mutual enjoyment, vulgarly known as Tratten (the funnel).

Originally a student fraternity, it gradually transformed during the second half of the 19th century, encompassing mainly older academics and university-educated professionals.

Around the beginning of the 20th century, members of SHT held a majority of the seats in the Swedish Academy and the board of directors of Uppsala University.

This dominant position within Sweden's arts and sciences was to a large extent lost during the 20th century, due to social changes and university reforms which came to dilute the influence previously held by the academical elite of Uppsala and Lund.

Today, SHT has lodges or other suborganisations in 27 Swedish cities and a small chapter in Copenhagen, Denmark.