Symbolism of the Key
The Phi Beta Kappa key is the emblem of the society. It is inscribed on the front with the Greek letters Phi Beta Kappa, the initials of the words Philosophia Biou Kybernetes, meaning "The love of learning is the guide of life." In the lower right, a pointing hand symbolizing aspiration directs the eye diagonally upward to three stars which stand for the goals of the society: friendship, morality, and learning. On the reverse, the letters S P stand for Societas Philosophiae, the society of the love of learning. Below is the date of founding, December 5, 1776. The name of the member, college, and date of election may be inscribed above.