Every person who is not dedicated to the intricacies of history, having heard the name of society, will ask himself an interesting question: "Who is the carbonarium?" In order to understand this complex issue, it is necessary to understand their structure, hierarchy and comprehend the goals they pursue.
The concept of "carbonaria": interesting historical facts
Carbonaria are members of a secret organization located in Italy. Its fruitful functioning dates back to the 19th century. The main goal pursued by the adherents of this movement was the struggle for national freedom, a united and invincible country, as well as for constitutional confident formation and power.
Carbonaria is not a definite "layer" of society, it is a trend that is absolutely motley in composition. The carbonarians include representatives of the clergy, artisans and peasants, as well as adherents of a liberal worldview of noble origin.
Characteristics of the carbonarium society
According to the structural division of carbonaria, the characteristic features of this organization are sacredness, hierarchy and the presence of mandatory symbols. For example, the rite of burning coal reflects the purification of the spiritual component of man.
At the dawn of this society, there were two main degrees of initiation. These were students and masters. After some time, the number of ranks increased significantly, and instead of two of them became nine.
It should be noted that carbonarians are people in whose souls and hearts a revolutionary spirit lives. The proof of this unwritten law is the revolutions of 1820-21 on the Sicilian territory and 1831 in Italy, which were headed precisely by carbonarians.
What was the significance of the movement of carbonaria?
The task of this secret society was to eliminate the despotism of politicians and the establishment of a democratic process. The appearance of future carbonarians - the fraternity of coal miners - according to various sources, is associated with the following periods in history:
- The reign of Francis I.
- The times of the early Middle Ages, namely the 11th century.
- The era of confrontation between gibellins and guelphs.
From a political point of view, the world learned about carbonaria only at the beginning of the 19th century, at the time of the confrontation between the Bourbon dynasty and the French domination in Naples. The rules of the French carbonaries, no doubt, were borrowed from the Italian initiators of this movement. The carbonarians in France obeyed harsher unity and centralized governance.
Activities of Italian carbonaries
The movement of carbonaries in Italy developed in several provinces, the centers of which became Venice, Rome, Naples, Turin, Milan and Florence. There was no single apparatus to which they obeyed. There were only intermediate “intermediaries” that helped to clear up misunderstandings and provided a general line of action.
Each of the communities had a certain plan and reforms, according to which it acted. But there was no consensus on actions that all Italian carbonarians strictly adhered to. Members of these societies welcomed monarchist ideas and were ready to compromise with them. But thoughts about creating a monarchical country appeared only in 1840.
Charters and regulations of carbonaria
Each member of this secret society had to blindly obey the orders of the governing apparatus and, if necessary, sacrifice his life.
The Society of Carbonarians, undoubtedly, had its own rules, according to which each new member was awarded an honorary diploma. The appearance was quite interesting and was a handwritten version with the signatures of the manual and the seal of the vent. In the central part of the diploma, the holy Theobald flaunted with a branch near the hut. Also on the cover was a flaming bonfire, a forest glade, a bowl and water. Upon entry into society, each carbonarium received ribbons, which consisted of three colors, each of them had a designation. For example, the red color symbolized the flame of fire, blue - smoke, black - coal, as well as faith, hope and virtue.
The need for members of the company was monthly contributions, depending on the level of income. To be confident in their abilities, each member of society carried a weapon.
Exciting facts about the society of carbonarians
The loyalty of the carbonarians was quite constant and selfless, even ordinary Italians made an oath promise called the “word of the carbonarians”. The rite of passage to the number of carbonarians, which was quite pompous and solemn, had a special scope. He meant the incineration of coal. This burning symbolized a metamorphosis, thanks to which, a new member of society turned into a person who was crystal clear from a spiritual point of view.
Thanks to the flow of carbonaria, corrupted and bad ways were eradicated and led people to lightness and freedom in everything.
The sacrament of initiation was performed in the forest, near the hut of the vent of carbonaria. This action was carried out in the presence of other members of society. They put a bag on the new man and sent him to the “room for thought”, where he was in the presence of people who recommended him. Then the head of the company conducted his interrogation on the subject of morality. After that, the newcomer was released and solemnly congratulated on his initiation into the ranks of carbonarians.