The Fraternity Badge / "Pin"

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.

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.

The Delta Sigma Phi 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.

Fraternity Colors

Nile Green and (carnation) white, the colors of the Fraternity, are depicted in most of our insignia, emblems and jewelry. The Fraternity's colors were adopted in 1905.

Fraternity Flower

The flower of the Fraternity is the white carnation. Like our official colors, this flower has been used since 1905.

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 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 Lute

The Lute, the Fraternity's songbook, dates back to 1932 and contains favorite songs of the Fraternity.

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 at Stetson University event in 1926, but since has become popular throughout the Fraternity.

Founders Day

Founders Day is observed on December 10 of each year.