Fleur-de-lis in Scouting

The fleur-de-lis is the main element in the logo of most Scouting organizations, representing a major theme in Scouting: the outdoors and wilderness.[1] The crest is white on a purple background. The white represents purity and the purple represents leadership and help given to others.[2]

Background

The three petals or leaves represent the threefold Scout Promise (Duty to God and Country, Duty to Self, Duty to Others)[2] in much the same way as the three leaves of the trefoil represent the threefold promise for the Guides.[3] Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, explained[4] that the Scouts adopted the fleur-de-lis symbol from its use in the compass rose because it "points in the right direction (and upwards) turning neither to the right nor left, since these lead backward again." The two small five-point stars stand for truth and knowledge.[2] Together their ten points represent the ten original Scout laws.[5] The reef knot or square knot represents the strength of World Scouting.[5] The rope is for the unity of Scouts throughout the world.[5] The ring holding the petals together represents the bond of brotherhood.

References
  1. Walton, Mike (1999). "The World Crest Badge...(and why do we *all* wear it?)".
  2. "The World Crest". Scouting.Org. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  3. "Symbols of the Movement". World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  4. Baden-Powell, Robert (1933). "9". Lessons from the Varsity of Life. Archived from the original on 2 December 2006.
  5. "World Membership Badge". Scouts.org.UK. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.