World Scout Emblem

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World Scout Emblem

Emblem data
Owner World Organization of the Scout Movement
Created 1955
Scouting Scouting portal

The World Scout Emblem is the emblem of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and is worn by Scouts and Scouters around the world to indicate their membership. Each national Scout organization determines the manner is which the emblem is worn.

Contents

[edit] Origins of the design

1950s version of the emblem, used by the World Scout Committee
1950s version of the emblem, used by the World Scout Committee

Baden-Powell began awarding a brass arrowhead to Army scouts whom he had trained while serving in India in 1897. He later issued a copper arrowhead badge to all participants of the experimental camp on Brownsea Island in 1907.[1]

Baden-Powell included a design for the Scout's badge in his work, Scouting for Boys, which was a simple arrowhead with the motto "Be Prepared" on a scroll below it. He reasoned that the arrowhead was commonly used as the symbol for north on maps, and a Boy Scout was to show the way in doing his duty and helping others.[2]

The plumes of the arrowhead became symbols for Service to Others, Duty to God, and Obedience to the Scout Law. These three principles form the Scout Promise which is made by new Scouts as they join the movement. The arrowhead was modified shortly after, to include the two five-pointed stars, which symbolize knowledge and truth. A "bond" was also added tying the three plumes together to symbolize the family of Scouting.[3]

The current emblem design was introduced with the 8th World Scout Jamboree in 1955. The final design which is now worn on the uniforms of Scouts around the world includes a rope which encircles the arrowhead and is tied in a reef knot at the bottom of the badge. The rope is there to symbolize the family of the World Scout Movement and the knot symbolizes the strength of the unity of the World Scout Movement. The colors chosen have heraldic significance, with the white of the arrowhead and rope representing purity, and the royal purple denoting leadership and service.[3]

The use of the arrowhead has led to some controversy, with critics citing its military symbolism. However, Robert Baden-Powell himself denied this link, writing and speaking about the various other meanings of the symbol.[4][1]

[edit] Organization usage

Several of the national Scout organizations use the emblem in various ways.

[edit] The Scout Association

The Scout Association refers to the emblem as the World Membership Badge.[3] It is used as the Beaver Scout Membership Award, the Scout Membership Award and the Explorer Scout Membership Award with requirements intended to help the Scout understand their commitment to Scouting.[5][6][7]

[edit] Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) refers to the emblem as the World Crest; it may be worn on the uniform as an emblem of world-wide Scouting. The BSA first used the badge as an award for Scouts and Scouters who participated in an international Scouting event from early 1956 through 1991; requirements were devised by each council. In 1991, the BSA made it part of the uniform for all Scouts and the International Activity Patch replaced the World Scout Crest as an award.[4]

[edit] See also

Scouting Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Walker, "Johnny" (2006). The Fleur-de-lis and the Swastika. Scout Milestones. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
  2. ^ Baden-Powell, Robert (1908). Scouting for Boys. Oxford University Press, 34. 
  3. ^ a b c The World Membership Badge. The Scout Association. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
  4. ^ a b Walton, Mike (1999). The World Crest Badge...(and why do we *all* wear it?). Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  5. ^ Beaver Scout Badges: The Beaver Scout Membership Award. The Scout Association. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
  6. ^ Scout Badges: The Scout Membership Award. The Scout Association. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.
  7. ^ Explorer Scout Badges: The Explorer Scout Membership Award. The Scout Association. Retrieved on 2007-12-20.