the 21 group is the most closest linked to the "first" SS, Tian
Di Hui (Heaven & Earth Society)...which was founded by 5
shaolin monks who escaped the burning of Shaolin Temple, who then
swore brotherhood among each other in a dilapidated temple in Gao
Xi, called the Red Flower Pavillion (Hong Hua Ting). Together they
set out to topple the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty
(fan qing fu ming) and established the Hong Men (Hong derived from
the surname of the last Ming Emperor, Hong Wu). All societies under
the 21 banner belong to the Hong Men, in terms of lineage.
As for the other groups, most of them were breakaway groups, and
even breakaways-of-breakaways. Other than the 21 group, almost all
of the other SS do not practice the rites and rituals of the old
days, for example initiation rites, funeral rites, etc etc.
