(Latin: fraternitas rosae crucis, brotherhood of the Red Cross)
(1) A sect which arose at the beginning of the 17th century, but which traced its origin to Christian Rosenkreuz, 200 years earlier, who is said to have learned Arabian magic while traveling in the East. It was devoted to occultism and mysticism.
(2) A branch of Freemasonry, to which only Master Masons are admitted and whose members claim to be directly descended from the brotherhood of 1408.