Insignia
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An insignia (from Latin insignia, plural of insigne 'emblem, symbol, ensign') is a sign or mark distinguishing a group, grade, rank or function. It can be a symbol of personal power or that of an official group or governing body.[citation needed]
On its own, an insignia is a sign of a specific or general authority, and is usually made of metal or fabric. Together, insignias form a decoration with the different elements of a rank, grade or dignity.
There are many types of insignia, including civil and military decorations, crowns, emblems, and coats of arms.
History
The use of insignias predates history, both for personal and group (especially military) use. When the insignia was meant to be seen, it was placed at top of a pole or the head of a spear. The Persians used a golden eagle as an insignia, the Assyrians a dove, and the Armenians a lion. The eagle came to serve a more important function as the aquila, insignia of the Roman legions, around 100 years BCE.
At the earliest times, military insignias were very simple. Tree branches, mauled birds, heads of beasts, or a handful of dry grass, were placed on top of a pole or long stick, so that the combatants could recognize themselves in the fight, or to signpost a meeting place in retreat or defeat. But as the arts of war were refined, sturdier and brighter insignias were designed, and everyone wanted theirs to use characteristic symbols.
Among the Jews, each of the twelve Tribes of Israel had an insignia of a distinctive colour, on which was a figure or symbol that designated the tribe, according to the Blessing of Jacob. Scripture mentions the lion as the symbol of the Tribe of Judah, the ship that of the Tribe of Zebulun, the stars and firmament that of the Tribe of Issachar, and so on.
Idolatrous peoples had images of their gods or symbols of their princes on their insignias. The Egyptians chose the parrot and the crocodile, among others; the Assyrians and Babylonians had doves, as Jeremiah records in chapters XXV and XLVI of his prophecies; because the name "Semiramis", originally "Chemirmor", means "dove".
Ancient Greece
In Heroic times, a shield, helmet or cuirass on a spearhead were the military insignias of the Greeks. Nevertheless, Homer records that at the Siege of Troy Agamemnon used a purple veil to mark the meeting-point for his troops.
Little by little, insignias were used on swords and shields. The Athenians had Minerva, the olive tree and the owl. The Corinthians adopted a pterippus, the Thebans a sphinx, the Messinians and Laconians used the initial letter of their name.
Persia
The principal insignia of the Persians was a golden eagle on the end of a pike, placed on a wagon guarded by two of the most distinguished officers. Xenophon assumes that this insignia was used by all the kings of Persia.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
See also
References
External links
- "Nobili Militaria" (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- "Las insignias españolas en la Edad Media" [Spanish insignias in the Middle Ages] (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 December 2011.