Fraternity and Sorority Arms, Seals, Flags and other Insignia

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I think CoAs are harder to discuss than badges because so much of them are ritual. We can't say "and the stars mean this and the lamp means that and the colors stand for something else entirely."

They can be, but not necessarily. As noted above, some coats of arms have "open" meanings and secret meanings. I mean, there are some coats of arms that have been posted that I know (at least some) of the symbolism of, even though the members who posted them didn't give an explanation. There are parts of those coats of arms that the GLOs in question have been open about. I haven't said anything yet to wait and see if a member offers some explanation.

Likewise, some badges have (or are) symbols that can't be explained. (Triangles? ) And there's a reason that some of us are a little unfamiliar with the idea that people in some orgs can put whatever gems they want to on badges.

[Gusteau]

I think a great example of the heraldry norm =/= fraternal significance can be found in this 1930 article L.G. Balfour wrote regarding the Delta Chi CoA (found here: http://www.deltachi.org/quarterly/su...all_03.pdf.pdf). Balfour talks a lot about heraldry, and its all actually great information, but his discussion of our CoA, while interesting, has almost nothing to do with the Ritual significance of the arms. Of course non-members couldn't compare, but it's a decent article regardless.

Also, I commented in another thread that the open meaning of our CoA (that is, the marriage of two families) was so comprehensive that I was surprised to learn there could be any more to it!

[MysticCat]

Thanks for posting that article, Gusteau, and thanks to you and porcupile for all the information you've provided.

I'm wondering if Vito can tell us more about Psi U's practice of arms for each chapter.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

They can be, but not necessarily. As noted above, some coats of arms have "open" meanings and secret meanings. I mean, there are some coats of arms that have been posted that I know (at least some) of the symbolism of, even though the members who posted them didn't give an explanation. There are parts of those coats of arms that the GLOs in question have been open about. I haven't said anything yet to wait and see if a member offers some explanation.

Psi U would fall under that. The details of our CoA and the indivual CoAs on posted on our website. From what I understand the 2 Brothers who designed it tried as much as possible to follow the rules of heraldry. If people want I will discuss the meaning behind my CoA

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'm wondering if Vito can tell us more about Psi U's practice of arms for each chapter.

No. Seriously, I actually don't know much. From my understanding it is a practice that used to be done by many organizations, but only a hand full still do. I think it might be because of the age of the Fraternity and some of our traditions. Psi U has always had a rather loose central organization compared to many fraternities. From what I understand different chapters ever had different colors before we adopted Garnet and Gold. My belief is the practice of individual CoAs is throwback to those days when chapters were more or less different organizations with the same badge. It allows the chapters to have a way to identify themselves, while still harking to the symbolism of the whole fraternity.

[rljenk]

It is fascinating to look at the Psi U's varied chapter arms. Here is a link to specific page on their website: http://www.psiu.org/about/heraldry.html Imagine if banners for each were displayed at a convention!

Some fraternities use a system of cadency marks to differentiate the arms of each chapter. A small charge, added to the honor point of the shield, customizes the arms. The first nine cadency marks are traditional. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadency for examples. If the system is extended further, a new emblem must be chosen for each new chapter.

Alpha Rho Chi (Architecture) uses such a system to identify each chapter. Here is a document that illustrates and explains APX's cadency marks: http://www.alpharhochi.org/attach/ca...de-Feb2010.pdf

I've read that Beta Theta Pi uses such a system (http://www.betathetapi.org/about-beta/history/heraldry), but I have not seen any examples of chapter arms. Can anyone share? Do other fraternities use a similar system?

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by rljenk

It is fascinating to look at the Psi U's varied chapter arms. Here is a link to specific page on their website: http://www.psiu.org/about/heraldry.html Imagine if banners for each were displayed at a convention!

I am so suggesting that.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Thanks, ForeverRoses. I knew that AOII does not have a coat of arms (I was thinking of y'all when I said "I am mindful that some organizations do not have coats of arms" in the OP), and knew that you use a Jacqueminot rose as a distinctive symbol. Do you consistently use the emblem that you posted, or might different designs of the Jacqueminot rose be used in different contexts/times?

Sorry- I haven't been on Greek Chat for a bit. Generally, the rule is that in place of the crest, we use the rose. The one that I posted is the most common one that I have seen, however any representation of a rose can be used. I know a few years back we started using a more "modern" stylized rose,
but the one I posted still pops up fairly regularly. Probably because it is so similar to the colony pin.

Interesting to note- on a few documents, rather than the rose, the AOII monogram is used (where most fraternities & sororities use their crest/bearings). However the monogram can only be used on those specific things. The charter and the member certificate are the two that come to mind.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

If people want I will discuss the meaning behind my CoA

We want!

Originally Posted by rljenk

I've read that Beta Theta Pi uses such a system (http://www.betathetapi.org/about-beta/history/heraldry), but I have not seen any examples of chapter arms. Can anyone share? Do other fraternities use a similar system?

Same here. I've read about it but never actually seen it in practice.

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

Interesting to note- on a few documents, rather than the rose, the AOII monogram is used (where most fraternities & sororities use their crest/bearings). However the monogram can only be used on those specific things. The charter and the member certificate are the two that come to mind.

Thanks for the additional information. I take it that by the monogram, you mean the badge design?

Okay, I'm going to go ahead and discuss someone else's arms and an aspect that I think is really interesting. All public information, I promise.

Originally Posted by angels&angles

Pi Beta Phi:

Based off the COA of one of our founders.

Note has already been made of the reason for the shape of Pi Phi's arms, and as angels&angles says, the eagle on the arms comes from arms associated with the family (Brownlee) of Pi Phi founder Clara Brownlee Hutchinson. (Note: While Americans tend to think of family coats of arms, there really are no such things. Arms belong to individuals, not families. In Britain, for example, they are inherited as personal property, and only one person has the right to them at a time.)

What I find interesting is the sunburst with the Latin LUX ("light") in the center. That is the seal of Monmouth College:



I really like how Pi Phi commemorates the institution where it was founded in this way. The only other GLO that I can think of that does something similar is Theta Nu Xi, which uses Carolina Blue as one of its colors. Are there other examples?

[SthrnZeta]

The text on the bottom spells Zeta Tau Alpha and it contains a 5-pointed crown at the top and some other stuff and it's in our colors of turquoise blue and steel gray. I've always thought it looked like a more traditional coat of arms but some of you scholarly types can correct me if I'm wrong.



National Flag - just our coat of arms.










Corporate logo - you'll see a window like this in the IO building in Indy.





"Think Pink!" is now trademarked by ZTA

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The only other GLO that I can think of that does something similar is Theta Nu Xi, which uses Carolina Blue as one of its colors. Are there other examples?

One of our colors is garnet in order to honor our institution of founding at Union College. I also have more information about the multiple coats of arms, straight from national.

The reason Psi U has one for each chapter goes back to our history. In about 1860 we stopped expanding to college campuses via transfers etc (The Iota chapter at Kenyon was the last old chapter started this way) and would only intake strong local organizations/societies/fraternities. The next chapter started from scratch wasn't until 1949 at Northwestern. Many of the older coat of arms for each chapter harken back to their former organization.

It wasn't until the very late 1800's that this system was decided, some chapters had a variant of their own coat of arms before this - nothing so formal but many had very elegant vignettes. Often things are taken from these to the much simpler coat of arms.

I'll talk more about our CoA later lol.

ETA: That was from one of the staff members at national, and is public information even if it isn't on the website.

[AGDLynn]

Interesting to read about the martlets in the Delta Chi magazine. My family is linked to the Leftwiches of England. In describing our Coat of Arms,

Martlets (mythical footless swallows who loved flight so much they never landed, therefore they didn’t need legs) are thought to represent the swift. Since the swift never lands this symbol has been used as a sign of a younger son who has no land of his own, therefore no place to rest. It may signify one who has to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance. It is also thought that this is an emblem of one who has been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Stefan Oliver, An Introduction to Heraldry, Quantum Books, pp. 70.
http://leftwich.org/ArmsMeaning.htm

[PrettyBoy]

[Psi U MC Vito]

From the Psi Upsilon website

The Arms of the Fraternity are described in heraldic terms as a black shield bearing hands and letters of gold as in our badge, around which emblems run what is known as a double tressure, flory counter flory, of silver.
The 'double tressure' alludes to the 'tie that binds,' the secrets, ideals, and aims of the Fraternity.
The black 'shield' was chosen not only because it is more effective than any other hue in line engraving (which was the chief use of the coat-of-arms), but also because it is the background of the badge.
The 'crest' consists of an owl surmounting Roman fasces. The owl was assigned by the Greeks to Pallas Athena as an emblem of her supernatural wisdom, and by the Romans to Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom. The 'fasces,' which the owl surmounts, was a term given to a bundle of elm sticks or branches bound together with leather thongs or lashes, and containing an axe with its blade projecting from the side. These were carried by 'lectors' (public officials attending Roman magistrates), and were symbols of power.
The colors of the Fraternity are represented by a garnet ribbon on the dexter side of the shield, and by a gold one at the left, from which, united below the shield, depends by a ring the Psi Upsilon badge. The supporters are two silver griffins, typifying watchfulness and strength.

I would like to add 2 things to that. First off, the fasces have also been used historically to represent strength through unity, so that might have factored. Second, Garnet was chosen to honor our mother institution at Union College and Gold represents the badge of gold we wear.

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

Interesting to read about the martlets in the Delta Chi magazine. My family is linked to the Leftwiches of England. In describing our Coat of Arms,

Martlets (mythical footless swallows who loved flight so much they never landed, therefore they didn’t need legs) are thought to represent the swift. Since the swift never lands this symbol has been used as a sign of a younger son who has no land of his own, therefore no place to rest. It may signify one who has to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance. It is also thought that this is an emblem of one who has been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Stefan Oliver, An Introduction to Heraldry, Quantum Books, pp. 70.
http://leftwich.org/ArmsMeaning.htm

I'm glad you enjoyed the article, and that you posted this information regarding martlets. I've done a ton of research on martlets because of my interest in heraldry and their connection with Delta Chi. This is one of those times I wish I could wax sentimental about their Ritual significance, but I will only say that it is truly beautiful.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

One of our colors is garnet in order to honor our institution of founding at Union College.

I didn't know this. Cool.

PrettyBoy, thanks for posting Kappa Alpha Psi's arms. Is there anything you can tell us about them? (Understood if there's not.)