Rosicrucianism emerged in early modern Europe during the early 17th century as a spiritual and cultural movement. Heavily influenced by Hermeticism and Esoteric Christianity, the movement was first announced to the world through the publication of several historical texts that proclaimed the existence of a previously secret society. Symbolized by the Rose Cross, or Rosy Cross, this movement combined esoteric traditions to present a new cultural and spiritual path, though its initial existence was defined more by these publications than by an active, physical organization.
Indeed, during the initial period of the movement's announcement, the Rosicrucians themselves were not supposed to be real people. Instead, they first appeared as characters within various literary works of the era. It was not until the 18th century, likely around 1763, that the first 'real' Rosicrucians began to appear. Following this transition from literary device to active groups, several Rosicrucian and Rosicrucian-inspired organizations were formed. Notable historical examples of these groups include the Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross, which was active from the 1750s to the 1790s, the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, founded in 1865 and continuing into the present, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, which operated from 1887 to 1903.
