The Pythian Sisters, the female auxiliary of the Knights of Pythias, had their own symbol, a Maltese cross with the letters PLEF. These letters stand for Purity, Love, Equality, and Fidelity. This is the symbol used on a member’s tombstone.
The Pythian Sisters were formed in 1888. Their local units are called Temples, their state units called Grand Temples, and the national structure called Supreme Temple. The Pythian Sisters have a youth affiliate, the Pythian Sunshine Girls, established in 1930.
I featured the Knights of Pythias symbol in a Tombstone Tuesday a couple weeks ago. Both societies are fraternal charitable, benevolent societies.