Symbolic
The Badge
The piece of jewelry that most
people refer to as the "fraternity pin," is actually the badge of Delta Sigma
Phi. The first Fraternity badge was depicted in an engraving in the 1905 Penn
State Yearbook. The badge was diamond-shaped and featured the name of the
Fraternity vertically written in Greek letters. It was depicted with jewels
surrounding the outer edge.
The current badge, worn only by members, is a gold and black diamond shaped pin
decorated with a tiny reproduction of the pledge emblem, the Sphinx, and the
letters of Delta Sigma Phi. It is worn over the heart on a shirt or sweater and
beneath a coat, but never on a coat lapel. It is properly positioned with the
upper apex slanting toward the left shoulder and the lower apex toward the right
hip. Badge guards are available indicating a member’s chapter.
Undergraduates are not permitted to wear jeweled badges. Only alumni, wives, and
sweethearts may wear jeweled badges. If a brother wishes to give a reproduction
of the badge to his wife or sweetheart, he must give her a jeweled badge, as
wives and sweethearts may never wear the plain, unjeweled badge. The plain,
unjeweled badge may only be worn by brothers.
The Pledge Pin
The pledge pin is circular with a white
enameled background and a gold border. An equilateral triangle in green is
placed so that the points touch the gold border and from the points to the
center of the triangle are three gold lines.
Chapters should furnish new members with a pledge pin at the formal pledging
ceremony. It is worn on the left coat lapel or in a similar position on a
sweater or shirt if no coat is worn. It should be worn at all times during the
pledging period, except with informal attire such as a t-shirt.
Although initiated brothers do not wear the actual pledge pin, the pledge emblem
is worn by every brother of the Fraternity, as it is incorporated on the badge
of Delta Sigma Phi. When you made your pledge to Delta Sigma Phi, it was for
life. This is why the pledge emblem is a part of the badge: to always remind you
of your lifetime pledge to our brotherhood.
The Coat-of-Arms
The present coat-of-arms is the second adopted
by the Fraternity and was authorized at the 1921 Convention in Raleigh, North
Carolina. It was designed by Robert Ashley, Washington & Lee ‘07, who served the
Fraternity as National President and Editor of The Carnation.
The coat-of-arms consists of a shield bearing a field of green. The upper
portion of the shield is charged with three smaller shields bearing, from left
to right, a lute, a knot, and lamp. The lower portion of the shield contains a
pyramid. The central portion of the shield bears a silver chevron with a small
shield displaying a book and the year "1899". On each side of the shield are
mantlings of purple. Beneath the shield is a streamer bearing the words "Delta
Sigma Phi" in Greek. At the crest of the shield is the Sphinx. Affixed to the
breast of the Sphinx, and outstretched over the shield, are scarabaeus wings.
Coats-of-arms were originally emblems of families, but came to be used by
cities, states, and institutions. The correct word is "coat-of-arms." The word
"crest" describes only the part of the coat-of-arms that is at the top, above
the shield. Technically, the crest on the Delta Sigma Phi coat-of-arms is the
Sphinx.
Fraternity Colors
Nile Green and white, the colors of the
Fraternity, are depicted in most of our insignia, emblems, and jewelry. The
Fraternity’s colors were adopted in 1905.
The Fraternity Flag
The first official flag of Delta Sigma Phi was
adopted in 1926. The current form of the flag was adopted in 1950. It consists
of a Nile green field with white features depicting the pledge emblem in the
field and the Greek letters Delta Sigma Phi running diagonally, top to bottom,
on the outer half.
The Fraternity Seal
The seal of Delta Sigma Phi is one of the earliest emblems of the Fraternity. It
appeared on charters and official documents prior to 1912.
The great seal of the Fraternity is a circle bearing a triangle. The triangle is
divided into three smaller triangles in the same manner as the pledge emblem.
Each of the three smaller triangles contains one of the emblems: the lamp, the
lute, and the Gordian knot. Around the edge of the circle are the words "inc’pt
Washington D.C. 1929." The circle bears the words "sigillum fraternitatis" which
means "seal of the Fraternity," and the Greek-letters Delta Sigma Phi.
The Fraternity Flower
The flower of the Fraternity is the white carnation. Like our official colors,
this flower has been used since 1905.
The Use of Fraternity Symbols
The emblems and insignia of Delta Sigma Phi
represent our Fraternity in the eyes of all members and should be treated with
dignity and respect. By law, the national Fraternity has exclusive right to
reproduce the coat-of-arms and other insignia as registered trademarks of Delta
Sigma Phi. As a result, all of the jewelry, stationary, and other effects
depicting these emblems are supplied by specially authorized suppliers under
license to the Fraternity. Copyright laws prevent the reproduction of these
items by others without explicit approval of the Grand Council. It is the duty
of each member to report any unauthorized use of the coat-of-arms or other
insignia to the Fraternity Headquarters.
Fraternal Publications
The Carnation
The Carnation, the Fraternity’s quarterly magazine, was first published by Meyer
Boskey and appeared in April of 1907. Boskey felt that with the founding of
chapters outside New York City, an official publication was necessary to keep
the chapters in touch with one another.
Due to the expense of publication, The Carnation was published irregularly until
the Convention of 1915 authorized its regular publication as our official
magazine. Currently
The Carnation is published two times a year.
As a brother, you will receive The Carnation for the rest of your life.
Normally, since college students frequently move, you will begin receiving The
Carnation at the address listed for your parents or legal guardians on your
application for initiation, which you will fill out prior to initiation. When
you graduate, it is imperative that you notify the Headquarters of your new
address. You will want to receive The Carnation for the rest of your life
because you join Delta Sigma Phi for life, not just while you are in college.
The Sphinx
The Sphinx, authorized by the 1923 Convention,
is the official publication of the Fraternity for the purpose of conveying
secret or private information to the chapters. It is currently issued after each
Convention to inform the chapters of the official business carried out by the
voting delegates. All brothers must remember that The Sphinx is a secret
publication and that copies must not be permitted to lie about the chapter house
or other places where outsiders may have an opportunity to read them.
The Gordian Knot
The Gordian Knot, the Fraternity’s pledge
manual, was first issued in October 1925. It was one of the first pledge manuals
ever issued by a fraternity and was originally based on a booklet first produced
by the Epsilon chapter at Penn State. The Gordian Knot is currently in its
eighth edition.
The Fraternity Manual
The Fraternity Manual, first issued in 1928,
was also one of the earliest manuals of its kind in the fraternity world. It is
a comprehensive work dealing with Fraternity operations on the chapter, alumni,
and national level. The manual outlines the responsibilities of each officer in
the chapter and offers basic tips for each office. This manual is the product of
years of experience in dealing with fraternal matters. It is not necessary to
repeat the mistakes of the past. Members should read The Fraternity Manual. It
is essential to a successful role of leadership within the chapter.
The Lute
The Lute, the Fraternity’s songbook, dates back
to 1932 and contains favorite songs of the Fraternity.
Other publications
There are many other publications available
from the Fraternity Headquarters. Some of the more important are The Pyramid
which is the Fraternity’s chapter development guide, The Recruitment Chairman’s
Guide, and The Chapter Financial Management Manual. Contact the Fraternity
Headquarters for a listing of additional publications.
Traditions
Delta Sigma Phi is rich in fraternity
traditions. The greatest tradition of Delta Sigma Phi is a way of life, which
you will learn upon initiation. However, we celebrate that way of life through
several time-honored traditions, which are deeply rooted in fraternity custom
and history.
Carnation and Sailors Ball
The major formal dance of the year is the
Carnation Ball. The white carnation, the flower of the Fraternity, is
traditionally used in decorations and corsages for this event. The Sailors Ball
is an informal costume party with a nautical theme. It originally started as an
Alpha Chi chapter (Stetson U.) event in 1926, but since has become popular
throughout the Fraternity.
Founders Day and Other Occasions
Founders Day, observed on December 10 of each year