Square knot insignia are embroidered cloth patches that represent awards of the Scout associations throughout the world.
The Scout Association of the United Kingdom uses a "figure-eight" knot and many Scouting organizations of the Commonwealth countries follow suit. The World Organization of the Scout Movement uses military-style ribbons. Scouting America uses a square knot made of colored ropes is depicted; the colors are generally dictated by the award the insignia is associated with.
History
In the earliest days of the Scouting Movement military veterans were urged into service as Scoutmasters. The first Scout uniforms therefore resembled military uniforms. It was common for these veterans to wear their military decorations 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.
The first country to switch over from military ribbons to a unique parallel was the United Kingdom, which introduced its knot emblems in 1922.
Scouting America
The Boy Scouts of America likewise moved away from allowing Scouters to wear military ribbons, but kept the style, introducing their own ribbons in place of medals in 1934. The BSA introduced its own square knot insignia in lieu of the military-style ribbons in 1947. 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.
The first eight awards with square knot insignia in the BSA were the Eagle Scout Award, Quartermaster Award, Scouter's Training Award, Scouter's Key, Silver Beaver Award, Silver Antelope Award, Silver Buffalo Award, and Honor Medal.
Since the introduction of square knot insignia, over forty new awards have been added, then combined, and some retired. Currently, there are 32 nationally authorized square knot insignia representing various medals, medallions, certificates, plaques, and other awards.
There are a few cases of local Council-approved square knots and various popular unofficial or spoof knots.
In Scouting America, square knot insignia are worn in rows of three across the top of the wearer's left pocket. Though there is no rule limiting the number of such insignia that may be worn, some suggest limiting to three rows of three. When fewer than three knots are worn in a particular row, knots are generally centered to the pocket, or the row below.
Dates indicated in the chart below indicate the use of the square knot insignia for the particular award, and may not correspond to the history of the award itself. For example, the first Eagle Scout Award was presented in 1912, and there was a ribbon bar for it from 1934. It was among the first eight awards given square knot insignia in 1947, so that later date is indicated.
Achievement Awards These awards are generally earned by the Scouts themselves. These represent the highest youth rank or achievement in each respective program of Scouting America.
Insignia Title Started Description Arrow of Light (Cub Scouts) 1979 Highest rank of the Cub Scouting program (ages 5-11) Eagle Scout (Scouts BSA)1947 Highest rank of the Scouting program (ages 11-18) Eagle Scout with Life Membership in NESA 2008 Indicates lifetime membership in the National Eagle Scout Association Quartermaster Award (Sea Scouts) 1947 Highest rank in the Sea Scouting program (ages 14-20) Silver Award / Summit Award (Venturing) 1999 Highest rank in the Venturing program (ages 14-20)
Distinguished service These awards are generally granted via nomination and review; they cannot be earned or applied for by Scouts or Scouters directly.
Insignia Title Started Description Unit Leader Award of Merit 2010 Unit-level quality leader recognition award District Award of Merit 1971 District-level distinguished service award Silver Beaver Award 1947 Council-level distinguished service award Silver Antelope Award 1947 Territory-level distinguished service award Silver Buffalo Award 1947 National-level distinguished service award Silver World Award 1976 International-level distinguished service award
Heroism These awards are generally granted via nomination and review; they cannot be earned or applied for by Scouts or Scouters directly.
Insignia Title Started Description Medal of Merit1952 Performed an act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. Heroism Award 1983 Demonstrated heroism and skill in averting serious injury or saving or attempting to save life at minimum risk to self. Discontinued late 2012; reinstated February 2018 Honor Medal1947 Demonstrated unusual heroism and skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life at considerable risk to self. Awarded with crossed palms for situations with extreme risk to self.
Leadership and training These awards are generally earned by the Scouters themselves.
Insignia Title Started Description Den Leader Training Award 1989 Scouter's Training Award 1947 Scouter's Key 1947 Commissioner Award of Excellence in Unit Service2011 Doctorate of Commissioner Science 2008 Philmont Training Center Masters Track Award 2008 Professional Training Award 1980
Special achievements These awards are generally earned by the Scouts and Scouters themselves. In one case (James E. West Fellowships) nomination by others is also possible.
Insignia Title Started Description Youth Religious EmblemsAs of March 2018, there were 36 religions and denominations that sponsored religious emblems programs for youth, many with different emblems for different ages of youth. This knot represents any of those. 1971 Distinguished Conservation Service Award 2020 Replaced William T. Hornaday Awards James E. West Fellowship 1993 International Scouter Award 2002 William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award 2005 Alumni Award 2011Presented to Scouting alumni who promote continued engagement with Scouting America
Special service recognition These awards are generally granted via nomination and review; they cannot be earned or applied for by Scouts or Scouters directly.
Insignia Title Started Description Adult Religious Awards1973 Distinguished Service to Scouts and Youth associated with a religious community or organization Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award1976 Distinguished service to the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Commissioner Service Award 1987 Distinguished Service as a Commissioner at the unit, district, or council level Community Organization Awards2002 Distinguished Service to Scouts and Youth affiliated with a non-religious community organization Venturing Leadership Award2004 Distinguished Service to Venturing and Venturers Scouting Service Award 2017 Distinguished Service to Scouts of a specific ethnic or special needs identity; Incorporates - Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award, Scouting ... Vale la pena! Service Award, Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award, American Indian Scouting Association Grey Wolf Award, Special Needs Scouting Service Award Military Service Knot 2026 Military veterans and active-duty service members
Order of precedence There is no official direction on the order of precedence of these awards by Scouting America, other than that those deemed most important should be worn on his or her own right (closest to the heart).
Prevailing Scouting custom tends to follow the military recognitions order of precedence in some ways, prioritizing honor and valor awards highest, distinguished selective recognition over broad participation, long time service over single event or action achievements, the scope of impact, the length of service, and service over training, as well as awards that require nomination over those that can be earned directly by the individual.
Discontinued These awards have been completely discontinued or combined and represented by current award knots.
Insignia Title Started Ended Description William T. Hornaday Medals 1991 2020 Superseded by Distinguished Conservation Service Award Skipper's Key 19471949Superseded by Scouter's Key Exploring Ranger Award 1933 1951Superseded by "Ranger" bar Air Scout Ace Award 1950 1954 Exploring Silver Award 1954 1958 Exploring Awards KnotThis knot has represented several different awards, many overlapping: Silver Award 1954-1986; Ranger 1978-1996; Ace 1978-1996; Explorer Achievement Award 1986-1995; Young American Award 1995-2008; Exploring G.O.L.D. Award 1995-1998. 19541998 William H. Spurgeon III Award 19892007 Recognition for individuals and organizations contributing significant leadership to the Exploring program Scoutmaster Award of Merit 19872010Superseded by Unit Leader Award of Merit Venturing Advisor / Varsity Coach Award of Merit 19992010Superseded by Unit Leader Award of Merit Pack Trainer Award 2006 2011Superseded by Scouter's Training Award Cubmaster Award 1989 2012Superseded by Scouter's Key Cub Scouter Award 1989 2012Superseded by Scouter's Training Award Den Leader Coach Award 1989 2012Superseded by Den Leader Training Award Webelos Den Leader Award 19892012Superseded by Den Leader Training Award Tiger Cub Den Leader Award 1992 2012Superseded by Den Leader Training Award George Meany Award 19872011Incorporated in Community Organization Award Sea Badge 19892012Superseded by Seabadge Trident pin Asian American Spirit of Scouting Service Award 20032016Incorporated in Scouting Service Award ¡Scouting...Vale la Pena! Service Award 20032016Incorporated in Scouting Service Award Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award 19892016Incorporated in Scouting Service Award Speakers Bank Award20072011Discontinued
The Scout Association (UK)
The British Scout Association introduced the idea of a cloth 'knot' insignia in 1922, modeled after the military use of ribbons to represent medals and other citations. Many of the Scouting organizations of the Commonwealth of Nations either copy the British system or simply use the British awards and insignia.
Gallantry Insignia Title Started Description Bronze CrossYear The Bronze Cross is the highest gallantry award given by the Scout Association UK for special heroism or action in the face of extraordinary risk. Silver CrossYear The Silver Cross Award is a prestigious accolade within the UK Scout Association, awarded for gallantry in circumstances of considerable risk. This award is a testament to the recipient's bravery and commitment to duty, often in challenging and perilous situations. Gilt CrossYear The Gilt Cross Award is a prestigious accolade within the UK Scout system, awarded for gallantry in circumstances of moderate risk. It is a symbol of bravery and acts of heroism where life is at risk. Cornwell Scout Badge Year is a gallantry award of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom and some of its branches in other countries. It is awarded in recognition of devotion to duty, courage and endurance.
Meritorious Conduct
Insignia Title Started Description Medal for Meritorious ConductYear The Chief Scouts Medal for Meritorious Conduct is the highest award for acts of bravery and service within the UK Scouts. Chief Scout's Commendation for Meritorious ConductYear The Chief Scout's Commendation for Meritorious Conduct is one of the highest awards within the UK Scouts. It is awarded for acts of bravery, dedication, and outstanding service to the Scouts.
Service Insignia Title Started Description