Quote:
Originally Posted by SWTXBelle
Pray tell - if a pledge doesn't know what the letters mean, and thus shouldn't wear them, why do you allow pledges to wear Phi Mu spelled out? They don't know what "Phi Mu" means as a pledge, right? So what is the difference?
I realize this is far snarkier than I usually am, and if I could figure out a non-snarky way to write it, I would. From a logical standpoint, I just can't see why the letters themselves are verboten, while writing it out is okay.
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I didn't see this earlier, but coming from an org that follows this policy, I'll take a stab at it.
The Greek letters spelled out -- Phi Mu Alpha -- are basically the name of the Fraternity; they identify the Fraternity and those people and things affiliated with it. But the Greek letters themselves --
F, M, A -- are much more than just the name of the Fraternity. (Shoot, for our first 50 years, they weren't even officially part of the Fraternity's name.) They are symbols of the ideals that we most cherish; and they identify those who have been fully initiated and who have committed themselves by solemn oath to cherish and promote what the letters mean. They are among the most meaningful symbols we have.
Until initiation, one is not a full brother. He may indicate his probationary affiliation with the Fraternity by wearing or having something with the name spelled out. But until he is initiated into full membership, he doesn't have the right to wear the letters themselves (or the coat-of-arms), because he has neither learned what they mean nor committed himself to what they represent.