During this station of the naturalization, the blindfolded candidate is guided to stand on a chair as a noose is placed upon his neck and tightened. The person is then asked if he/she trusts the noose-man and is instructed to step off the chair in an act of faith.

Throughout the rituals, proposed Klansmen/Klanswomen are blindfolded, and then with one arm placed on the shoulder of the person before them, they are led through the woods at a sometimes-vigorous pace. The link is not to be broken as they are questioned on Klan history and intimidated occasionally with the sound of a firearm.

According to Klan beliefs, the "hazing" actually has symbolic purpose, and builds mutual trust, loyalty and reveals personal bravery and dedication.

Naturalization ritual.

Candidates wishing to become citizens of the Ku Klux Klan take part in a Naturalization ceremony. There are some parts of the ceremony that many might at first mistake for a "hazing". Proposed Klansmen are blindfolded, and then with one arm placed on the shoulder of the man before him, led through the woods at a sometimes-vigorous pace. The link is not to be broken as they are questioned on Klan history and intimidated occasionally with the sound of a firearm. According to Klan beliefs, the "hazing" actually has symbolic purpose, and builds mutual trust, loyalty and reveals personal bravery and dedication. Missouri.

The Holy Bible, used during a naturalization ceremony.

Probates wishing to become citizens of the “Invisible Empire" take part in a naturalization ritual.

Probates wishing to become citizens of the “Invisible Empire" take part in a naturalization ritual.

Probates wishing to become initiated into Ku Klux Klan take their oaths as part of the naturalization ritual.

Probates are knighted during the final phase of the naturalization ceremony. It is at this time when they are considered a Klansman (or LOTIE) and welcomed into the Invisible Empire.

Baptism ceremony.

Klansmen nail burlap onto a wooden cross in preparation of a cross lighting ceremony.

Baton Rogue, LA, 7/7/2012. A "Mioak" tattoo displayed at a Klan gathering. "Mioak" stands for: The Mystic Insignia of a Klansman. Today it is most commonly known as the Blood Drop Cross. It is displayed as the patch seen on the robes of Klansmen. It is also a part of the Imperial Seal of the Klan.

Klan robes hang from a tree at Klan rally hosted by the Bayou Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.

In a makeshift tailoring office made from a portable mini trailer, "Momma Ruth" conducts business during a three-day Ku Klux Klan gathering in Tennessee.

A painting of a hooded horseman made by former Klan leader Richard Bondira hangs at a unity gathering for the Traditionalist American Kinights of the Ku Klux Klan in Missouri.

Diesel fuel and wooden torches that will be used in the cross lighting ceremony just after dusk. North Carolina.

Klansmen pose for a group portrait during a weekend gathering.

Members and supporting Klan realms from five different states came together for a two-day weekend of racial unity. The gathering included BBQ’s, a raffle (shown here), fellowship, an award ceremony and a Klan naturalization. A historical cannon was fired every hour on the hour during daylight hours, until local neighbors complained. Saturday evening closed with a cross lighting ceremony which, according to Klan ideology, dispels darkness and ignorance. Due to a statewide burn ban; the lighting was carried out with Christmas tree lights.

A Ku Klux Klan wedding ceremony in Walker, La., on August 30, 2008. The couple were wed by a chaplin Klan member (Kludd), where vows and custom Klan rings were exchanged during a cross lighting. This second cross lighting took place immediately following a group cross lighting ceremony - signifying the light of Christ and also meant to bring spiritual truth to a world that is blinded by misinformation and darkness.

A Ku Klux Klan Labor Day gathering in rural Arkansas, on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. Members and supporting Klan realms from five different states came together for a three-day weekend of racial unity. The gathering included BBQ?s, games, fellowship, an award ceremony and a Klan naturalization. A historical cannon was fired every hour on the hour during daylight hours, until local neighbors complained. Saturday evening closed with a cross lighting ceremony which, according to Klan beliefs, dispels darkness and ignorance. Due to a statewide burn ban, the lighting was done with Christmas tree lights.

A moment of prayer. The prayer was led by an Imperial Kludd (chaplain) of a Tennessee based Klan realm.

KKK wedding

Members of southern based Klan realm gather for a triple wedding ceremony. Tennessee.

A couple exchange wedding bands during a traditional Klan wedding hosted by the Traditional American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.

“Klan cologne” a mixture of Kerosene (or diesel fuel) mixed with a small amount of motor oil is poured onto a burlap wrapped cross in preparation for a cross lighting ceremony. According to Klan beliefs, the purpose of the lighting is to signify the light of Christ and is also meant to bring spiritual truth to a world that is blinded by misinformation and darkness.

A Ku Klux Klan wedding ceremony in Walker, La., on August 30, 2008. The couple were wed by a Chaplin Klan member, where vows and custom Klan rings were exchanged during a cross lighting. This second cross lighting took place immediately following a group cross lighting ceremony - signifying the light of Christ and also meant to bring spiritual truth to a world that is blinded by misinformation and darkness.

As the Knighthawk (right) ignites the torch of each man, woman or child he asks "do you accept this light" (or "do you accept the light of Christ"), the Klansperson responds "I do" and this starts the beginning of the cross lighting ceremony.

Chattooga County, GA. 12/12/2015. 5-year old “CJ” prior to a cross lighting ceremony hosted by a Georgia based Ku Klux Klan realm. CJ’s father is an Imperial Knighthawk (security within the Klan ranks). His mother fabricated the robe out of left over material after making her husbands robe.

Klan members participating in a Cross lighting ceremony form a circle with torches as they prepare to ignite the base of an 18-foot wooded cross, wrapped in burlap and soaked with kerosene.

According to Klan beliefs, the light of the cross symbolizes the light of Christ dispelling darkness and ignorance. The Klan adopted the fiery cross from the traditions of old Scotland where the fiery cross was used as a symbol against tyranny and for the fight for freedom.

A Ku Klux Klan cross lighting ceremony – according to Klan ideology, the fiery cross signifies the light of Christ and also meant to bring spiritual truth to a world that is blinded by misinformation and darkness.

April 23, 2016. Temple, Georgia. A Ku Klux Klan cross lighting ceremony – according to Klan ideology, the fiery cross signifies the light of Christ and also meant to bring spiritual truth to a world that is blinded by misinformation and darkness.

Police view cell phone video of a cross lighting that took place moments prior. A passerby unknowingly reported the incident as a possible house fire.

Ken Parker, a former Nazi and Klansman with his Grand Dragon robe. Later this day, Ken had laser tattoo removal treatment - a large swastika and Mioak (Klan blood drop cross) on his chest and a third racially themed tattoo on his shin.

Ken Parker, a former Nazi and Klansman gets prepped during laser tattoo removal treatment.

Ken Parker, a former Nazi and Klansman in the process of taking a "before" photo prior to laser tattoo removal treatment - a large swastika and Mioak (Klan blood drop cross) on his chest and a third racially themed tattoo on his shin.

The original Ku Klux Klan was founded here on December 24th, 1865 at the law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones. Pulaski, Tennessee.

The “Jolly Six” as they referred to themselves were former Confederate Army veterans. In 1917, the Daughters of the Confederacy placed this bronze plaque on the building to commemorate the Klan’s original gathering. The plaque remained on the building for over 70 years, until it the building was purchased in 1990 and the new owner reversed it with text facing inwards.

The plaque reads –

KU KLUX KLAN

ORGANIZED IN THIS,
THE LAW OFFICE OF
JUDGE THOMAS M. JONES,
DECEMBER 24TH, 1885
NAME OF ORIGINAL ORGANIZERS
CALVIN E. JONES. JOHN B. KENNEDY.
FRANK O. MCCORD. JOHN C. LESTER.
RICHARD R. REED. JAMES R. CROWE.