Chevrons are insignia, patches, or symbols used in military, law enforcement, and corporate settings to denote rank, merit, or membership in a particular group. Their history goes back centuries, and their evolution is linked to the development of armed forces and social structures.

Origin of the term

The word "chevron" comes from the French chevron, which means "roof", "rafter". This is due to the fact that the shape of the patch often resembles an inverted letter V, similar to the structure of a roof.

Chevrons in Antiquity

The history of insignia goes back to the times of ancient civilizations. In ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece, warriors wore special signs on their clothing, shields, and armor, indicating their affiliation with certain units or status in the army.

In the Middle Ages, knights decorated their shields and armor with coats of arms, which can be considered the predecessors of modern chevrons. These signs made it possible to distinguish allies from enemies on the battlefield and were passed down from generation to generation.

The emergence of military chevrons

Modern chevrons as a system for designating military ranks began to be used in the 16th-17th centuries in Europe. They were especially actively used in the French and British armies.

In Napoleon's army, chevrons on the sleeves indicated length of service: one corner for 7 years of service, two for 14 years, and so on. In the British army, they were used to designate sergeants and corporals. Tapani offers a wide selection of leather chevrons, to view the assortment follow the link - order a chevron.

Chevrons in the modern world

Today, chevrons are used not only in the army, but also in the police, special services, fire departments, and in corporate culture. They can indicate a rank, unit, or perform a decorative function.

In the civilian sphere, chevrons have become part of subcultures (bikers, athletes, music groups) and corporate identity (companies use patches with logos).

Conclusion

Chevrons have come a long way from knightly coats of arms to modern military and corporate patches. Their use remains relevant today, serving as a symbol of belonging, achievement and professional status.