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Fraternity Heraldry

Beta Theta Pi has many insignias of great importance. Here is a brief explanation of some of these insignias:

 

 

 

 

Flower Betas who gathered to celebrate the Fraternity's Semi-Centennial in 1889 were guests of the Western Female Seminary at a reception. Here, roses of the "June" or "Queen of the Prairie" variety, growing on the bush adjacent to the veranda of Peabody Hall, were presented to several Betas including Founders Knox and Marshall, at the suggestion of Leila McKee, Western's Principal. Later that summer, the 1889 Convention selected the rose as our official flower. The Convention found its beauty symbolic of our principles and its hardiness suggestive of the universality of our moral aims.

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Flag The first flag was designed in 1890 by John I. Covington, Miami 1870. Its white rectangular border was in honor of the 1889 alliance with the Mystic Seven. It was redesigned in 1902 by George Moseley Chandler, Michigan1898.

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Coat of Arms In 1897, the current Coat of Arms, designed by George Moseley Chandler, then an undergraduate, replaced the original Arms, which was designed by John I. Covington in 1869.

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Great Seal The first Great Seal was designed by John I. Covington and adopted in 1879. The Greek phrase at the bottom means great seal. The first Great Seal can be found on documents such as the 1879 Constitution and charters of that period. The current Great Seal, adopted in 1899, is in the custody of the General Secretary. It is most frequently seen on charters and Sisson Awards.

 

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Colors The colors were adopted in 1879 following impassioned speeches by Walter D. Dennison, Ohio Wesleyan 1877, and Paul Wilcox, DePauw 1879, for selection of their own chapter colors of pink and blue. Their purity signifies our purposes and their harmony symbolizes the perfect blending of souls in unsullied friendship. They are also the colors of the sunrise and sunset, a daily reminder to every Beta to his cherished membership. Thus, delicate shades of pink and blue.

 

 

 

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