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{{trope}}
{{cleanup|Many of the examples on this page are not about an "Illuminati" - these need to be moved to [[Ancient Conspiracy]], [[The Omniscient Council of Vagueness]], or [[One World Order]], as appropriate for the specific example.}}
[[File:
{{quote|''"There '''was''' a [[Who Shot JFK?|magic bullet]]! It was forged by Illuminati mystics to prevent us from learning '''the truth!'''"''
|'''[[The Question]]''', [[Justice League (animation)|in all of his glory]]}}
'''The''' [[Ancient Conspiracy]]. '''The''' [[The Omniscient Council of Vagueness|Omniscient Council of Vagueness]]. '''''The''''' [[One World Order]]. Founded at the dawn of human history, if not earlier,
▲{{quote|''"There '''was''' a [[Who Shot JFK|magic bullet]]! It was forged by Illuminati mystics to prevent us from learning '''the truth!'''"''|'''[[The Question]]''', [[Justice League|in all of his glory]]}}
"Illuminati" means "[[Light Is Not Good|the enlightened ones]]" in [[Gratuitous Latin]]. There ''was'' a Masonic-like organization of intellectuals which
▲'''The''' [[Ancient Conspiracy]]. '''The''' [[Omniscient Council of Vagueness]]. '''''The''''' [[One World Order]]. Founded at the dawn of human history, if not earlier, they gather influence and wealth, spinning their webs of lies and deceit in the shadowy heights of society. Or maybe they're just a bunch of rich white thugs with pretensions of grandeur. Either way, when a creator of popular culture needs a name for this group, they often turn to "The Illuminati" and their "Eye in the Pyramid" symbol; both have percolated their way into semi-general use, come across as refined and ancient, and (mostly) [[Historical Domain Character|aren't under copyright]].
▲"Illuminati" means "[[Light Is Not Good|the enlightened ones]]" in [[Gratuitous Latin]]. There ''was'' a Masonic-like organization of intellectuals which was [[Trope Namer|given this name]] in [[Real Life]] Bavaria in the 1770s, but it was eventually disbanded by the Bavarian government. There are [[Conspiracy Theorist|people]] who fervently believe the Illuminati survived this purge, orchestrated [[The French Revolution]] (as part of their [[One World Order]] efforts), and still exist, very much as described above, but... this really isn't the place to discuss it; go check out [[Wikipedia (Wiki)|Wikipedia]]'s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminati article].
This name is bandied about a ''lot'' over in the [[Wild Mass Guess]] department. See also [[The Knights Templar]].
For similar groups that are not named Illuminati, see [[Ancient Conspiracy]], [[The Omniscient Council of Vagueness]], or [[One World Order]].
{{examples|Examples in popular culture:}}▼
▲{{examples|Examples of The Illuminati in popular culture include:}}
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
* ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]'' has [[Big Bad|Father]], the Homunculi, and {{spoiler|[[The Government|Central Command]] actually running Amestris}} in a manner that fashions this trope in every way except without the name. The Homunculi are [[Anthropomorphic Personification
== [[
* In [[Marvel Comics]], this was the name of a secret alliance between influential superheroes - [[Iron Man]], [[Fantastic Four|Reed Richards]], [[X
** And during the ''[[Dark Reign]]'' [[Story Arc]], [[Spider
** It's important to note that the Marvel guys have given subtle nods that they know about the connotations of the name. Actions have been taken by some members, most often chiefly Iron Man, in certain storylines such as the three listed above, which were not only disagreed with by at least one fellow member on principle, but also would call into question for readers whether they were playing this trope straight. Also, Iron Man says once to Maria Hill when remarking on this group and referring to it by name that “at least that’s what I self-deprecatingly call our little world-saving group,” giving clear hint that only he uses the name. Put this in perspective. The only member of the "good guy Illuminati" that ever used the name was the snarky/humorous member of the team who's led questionable acts in the plots that developed after each of its meetings, and even he readily admits it's self-deprecating humor.
** Also notable to say that Black Panther refused the invitation to join because he ''knew'' that the group's extremely secretive nature left them doomed to fail if they ever disagreed on anything.
* In [[DC Comics]], the Illuminati hails from as far back as the days of Atlantis, has a covert hand in government affairs worldwide, and has been led by [[Vandal Savage]] from its birth to the modern day.
* Mentioned in ''[[From Hell]]'', along with a number of other secret societies, though the Masons take center stage.
** [[Alan Moore]] used a lot of Illuminati
* ''[[Avatar:
== [[Film]] ==
* ''[[Tomb Raider]]''
* ''[[El Topo]]''
* ''[[Eyes Wide Shut]]''
== [[Literature]] ==
* ''[[Duumvirate]]'' is written from the point of view of the Illuminati themselves.
* Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson's ''[[Illuminatus]]'' trilogy helped spread the name. The books are a [[Mind Screw]] told by [[Unreliable Narrator
* [[Dan Brown]] uses the name in his various books, most prominently, in ''[[Angels
== [[Live
* The
<!-- NOT THIS TROPE - SEE Ancient Conspiracy: * {{spoiler|The Silence}} in ''[[
== [[Music]] ==
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* According to [http://vigilantcitizen.com/?p=1676 this article,] [[Lady Gaga]].
** Also [[Jay Z]] and [[Kanye West]], according to many a [[YouTube]] commenter.
** You can also add [[Rihanna]], [[Katy Perry]], and [[
** As well as [[
** Basically, anyone in the Mainstream.
* [[
* A major theme of [[The KLF]]'s work, especially "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeOlMBwtJ_g Justified And Ancient]".
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== [[Tabletop Games]] ==
* [[Steve Jackson Games]] sells various conspiracy-themed card-games (collectable and otherwise) under the blanket name ''Illuminati'', while their line of ''[[GURPS]]'' role-playing
* [[D20 Modern]]{{context}}<!-- Which rulebook describes the Illuminati? Or should this example be moved to a different Trope page? -->
* One of the secret societies in ''[[Paranoia (game)|Paranoia]]''. {{spoiler|May or may not be a front for Ultraviolets, spies from another Alpha Complex, bots, aliens...
== [[Video Games]] ==
* ''[[
** Also featured in the prequel ''[[Deus Ex: Human Revolution
** They also have a more direct role in ''[[Deus Ex: Mankind Divided]]''.
*
* The resident [[Conspiracy Theorist]] Gomez in ''[[Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines]]'' has a particularly convoluted theory about the Illuminati (read it [[Conspiracy Theorist/Quotes|here]]). Of course, this being the [[
* ''[[Street Fighter]] III'''s antagonist leads an interesting take on this. The Illuminati in these games have a lot of religious symbolism and are more akin to a psychotic cult than an oppressive secret society. Gill himself is a [[Nietzsche Wannabe]] dark savior with obscene doses of [[A God Am I]]. Oh, and then there's the fact that he's red and blue skinned and clad in a thong...
** Although, they do have the whole [[Ancient Conspiracy]] thing going on.
* ''[[Dominions]]'' has the secretive Illuminated Order, operating in local [[
* Los Illuminados in ''[[Resident Evil]] 4''. Subverted hard by Albert Wesker being a more successful infiltrator behind the scenes than their entire organization.
▲== [[Web Original]] ==
▲* [[Avatar the Abridged Series|"And then he beat the crap out of him, muttering about Illuminati or something. I'm telling you, this guy is crazy"]]
== [[Web Comics]] ==
* In ''[[Sinfest]]'', Satan's surveillance invokes it: [
** [
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* ''[[
* ''[[Minoriteam]]'' had The White Shadow, who is a living Eye in a Pyramid.
* ''[[Freaknik:
* ''[[Metalocalypse]]''
* As quoted above, in an episode of ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'', one of the facts [[The Question]] reveals while [[Unreliable Narrator|under torture]] concerns the Illuminati.
* One episode of ''[[
* In ''[[Young Justice (
* Bill Cipher from ''[[Gravity Falls]]'' is basically a living manifestation of the usual Illuminati symbol, being a walking Eye in a Pyramid. Fittingly, he's ''the'' [[Big Bad]].
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Historical Domain Character]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Illuminati, The}}
▲[[Category:The New Tens]]
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