Square knot insignia
Encyclopedia
Square knot insignia are embroidered cloth patches
that represent awards of the Boy Scouts of America
and Scout
associations throughout the world. The insignia depicts a square knot
made of colored ropes; the colors are generally dictated by the award the insignia is associated with.
, military veterans were urged into service as scoutmasters. The first scout uniforms therefore resembled military uniform
s. It was common for these veterans to wear their military decoration
s on their modified Boy Scout uniform — a national uniform was not to be developed until the early 1920s
Military tradition dictated that the actual medal from a military award was only worn on ceremonial occasions — at other times, it was replaced with a thin ribbon bar
with the same ribbon style as found attached to the medal. This carried over to scouting, whose awards were medals, similar to the military, but were most often worn as ribbons. These ribbons differed from the military style in that, instead of being the same as the ribbon for the medal, they were instead all the same - khaki
coloured, with a woven square knot in the centre. The colour of this knot was dictated by the ribbon for the medal. The choice of the square knot as the common emblem was made by James E. West
, who is said to have chosen it for its use as the knot associated with first aid
, thereby reminding scouts to continue to be of service to others.
When less than 3 knots are worn in a particular row, knots are generally centered to the pocket, or the row below them.
Embroidered patch
An embroidered patch is a piece of art which is created by using a fabric backing thread and some form of a needle. Embroidered patches can be attached with a pin or can be sewn on, but some of the more modern methods of attachment include both an iron-on and Velcro backing...
that represent awards of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
and Scout
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
associations throughout the world. The insignia depicts a square knot
Reef knot
The reef knot or square knot is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. Although the reef knot is often seen used for tying two ropes together, it is not recommended for this purpose due to potential instability of the knot.A reef knot is formed by tying...
made of colored ropes; the colors are generally dictated by the award the insignia is associated with.
History
In the earliest days of the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, military veterans were urged into service as scoutmasters. The first scout uniforms therefore resembled military uniform
Military uniform
Military uniforms comprises standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations. Military dress and military styles have gone through great changes over the centuries from colourful and elaborate to extremely utilitarian...
s. It was common for these veterans to wear their military decoration
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
s on their modified Boy Scout uniform — a national uniform was not to be developed until the early 1920s
Military tradition dictated that the actual medal from a military award was only worn on ceremonial occasions — at other times, it was replaced with a thin ribbon bar
Ribbon bar
Ribbon bars are small decorations that are worn by military, police, and fire service personnel or by civilians. Ribbon bars are mainly used when wearing either full decoration, or when wearing medals is considered inappropriate or impractical. Each military force has its own rules on what ribbons...
with the same ribbon style as found attached to the medal. This carried over to scouting, whose awards were medals, similar to the military, but were most often worn as ribbons. These ribbons differed from the military style in that, instead of being the same as the ribbon for the medal, they were instead all the same - khaki
Khaki
This article is about the fabric. For the color, see Khaki . Kaki, another name for the persimmon, is often misspelled "Khaki".Khaki is a type of fabric or the color of such fabric...
coloured, with a woven square knot in the centre. The colour of this knot was dictated by the ribbon for the medal. The choice of the square knot as the common emblem was made by James E. West
James E. West (Scouting)
Dr. James E. West was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who became the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1911–1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout.-Personal life:His father died around the...
, who is said to have chosen it for its use as the knot associated with first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
, thereby reminding scouts to continue to be of service to others.
Initial introduction
Initially, eight new ribbons were introduced and later a ninth, which represented the various national awards available at that time:- Silver Beaver AwardSilver Beaver AwardThe Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council...
- Eagle Scout Award
- Scouter's Key AwardScouter's Key AwardThe Scouter's Key Award is an adult recognition of the Boy Scouts of America. This award is available across several different program areas and can be earned more than once.-History:...
- Scouter's Training AwardScouter's Training AwardThe Scouter's Training Award is an adult recognition of the Boy Scouts of America. This award is available across several different program areas and can be earned more than once.-History:...
- Quartermaster AwardQuartermaster Award (Boy Scouts of America)The Quartermaster Award is the highest rank attainable in the Sea Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America.-Award:The award consists of a medal suspended from a blue ribbon; the ribbon is suspended from a silver colored bar bearing the design of a double carrick bend knot...
- Silver Buffalo AwardSilver Buffalo AwardThe Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program...
- Honor Medal
- Merit Medal
- Silver Antelope AwardSilver Antelope AwardThe Silver Antelope Award is the regional-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America and recognizes outstanding service to young people within one of the four regions of the BSA...
Further developments
Between the introduction of square knot insignia and today, over 40 new awards have been added. In addition, there are a number of unofficial awards using the insignia, and various other awards that use similar insignia but with different knots depicted.Wearing insignia
Knots are worn in rows of three across the top of the wearer's left pocket.When less than 3 knots are worn in a particular row, knots are generally centered to the pocket, or the row below them.
Insignia available to youth
| Insignia | Title |
|---|---|
| Eagle Scout Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America) Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men... |
|
| Arrow of Light | |
| Explorer Silver Award (1954-8) | |
| Explorer Silver Award (1954-8) | |
| Explorer Achievement Award (1977–95) | |
| Exploring G.O.L.D. Award (1995-8) | |
| Air Scout Ace Award (1940–50) | |
| Explorer Ranger Award Ranger Award The Ranger Award is an award available to youth in the Venturing program and requires the same caliber of work as Boy Scout Eagle Award. It is designed to encourage youths to acquire a high level of proficiency in outdoor skills.-Award:... (1933–51) |
|
| Venturing Silver Award (1998-) | |
| Venturing Leadership Award | |
| Sea Scout or Sea Explorer Quartermaster Award Quartermaster Award (Boy Scouts of America) The Quartermaster Award is the highest rank attainable in the Sea Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America.-Award:The award consists of a medal suspended from a blue ribbon; the ribbon is suspended from a silver colored bar bearing the design of a double carrick bend knot... |
|
| Youth Religious Emblem | |
| Heroism Award | |
| Honor Medal | |
| Medal of Merit | |
| Wiliiam T. Hornaday Bronze or Silver Medal William T. Hornaday Awards The William T. Hornaday Awards are a series of awards presented by the Boy Scouts of America for service in conservation and ecology. The program is designed to encourage learning about natural resource conservation and the environment, teach sound stewardship of the natural resources and the... |
|
| Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award |
Insignia available to adults
| Insignia | Title |
|---|---|
| Silver Beaver Award Silver Beaver Award The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council... |
|
| Silver Antelope Award Silver Antelope Award The Silver Antelope Award is the regional-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America and recognizes outstanding service to young people within one of the four regions of the BSA... |
|
| Silver Buffalo Award Silver Buffalo Award The Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program... |
|
| District Award of Merit | |
| Adult Religious Emblem | |
| Scouter's Key | |
| Scouter's Training Award | |
| James E. West James E. West (Scouting) Dr. James E. West was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who became the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1911–1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout.-Personal life:His father died around the... Award |
|
| George Meany George Meany William George Meany led labor union federations in the United States. As an officer of the American Federation of Labor, he represented the AFL on the National War Labor Board during World War II.... AFL-CIO Award |
|
| Wiliiam T. Hornaday Gold Medal William T. Hornaday Awards The William T. Hornaday Awards are a series of awards presented by the Boy Scouts of America for service in conservation and ecology. The program is designed to encourage learning about natural resource conservation and the environment, teach sound stewardship of the natural resources and the... |
|
| Whitney Young Whitney Young Whitney Moore Young Jr. was an American civil rights leader.He spent most of his career working to end employment discrimination in the United States and turning the National Urban League from a relatively passive civil rights organization into one that aggressively fought for equitable access to... Service Award |
|
| William D. Boyce William D. Boyce William Dickson "W. D." Boyce was an American newspaper man, entrepreneur, magazine publisher, and explorer. He was the founder of the Boy Scouts of America and the short-lived Lone Scouts of America . Born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, he acquired a love for the outdoors early in his life... Award |
|
| Vale La Pena Award | |
| Asian American Award | |
| International Scouter Award | |
| Silver World Award Silver World Award The Silver World Award is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America . It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on an international basis. Recipients must be a citizen of a country with a Scouting program that is a member of the World Scout Conference... |
|
| Distinguished Commissioner Service Award | |
| Doctorate of Commissioner's Science Award | |
| Community Service Award | |
| Scoutmaster Award of Merit | |
| Varsity Scout Coach Award of Merit | |
| Venturing Advisor Award of Merit | |
| Scoutmaster Award of Merit (Discontinued) | |
| BSA Alumni Award | |
| Philmont Training Center Master's Award | |
| Cubmaster Award | |
| Den Leader Coach Award (retired) | |
| Webelos Den Leader Award | |
| Cub Scout Den Leader Award | |
| Pack Trainer Award | |
| Tiger Cub Den Leader Award | |
| William H. Spurgeon III Award | |
| Sea Badge | |
| Professional Training Award |