Asashis a large and usually colorfulribbonor band of material worn around the human body, either draping from one shoulder to the opposing hip and back up, or else encircling the waist. The sash around the waist may be worn in daily attire, but the sash from shoulder to hip is worn on ceremonial occasions only. Ceremonial sashes are also found in a V-shaped format, draping straight from both shoulders down, intersecting and forming an angle over the chest or abdomen.

A depiction ofCaptain Kidd,showing a red sash around his waist

Military use

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Old Europe

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Elaborately embroidered sash from 1635 to 1642

In the mid- and late-16th century waist and shoulder sashes came up as mark of (high) military rank or to show personal affection to a political party or nation. During theThirty Years' Warthe distinctive sash colour of theHouse of Habsburgwas red while their French opponents wore white or blue sashes and the Swedish voted for blue sashes.

Beginning from the end of the 17th century, commissioned officers in theBritish Armywore waist sashes of crimson silk. The original officer's sash was six inches wide by eighty-eight inches long with a ten-inch (gold or silver) fringe. It was large enough to form a hammock stretcher to carry a wounded officer. From about 1730 to 1768, the officer's sash was wornbauderickewise, i.e. from the right shoulder to the left hip, and afterwards around the waist again.[1]

Sergeants were permitted sashes of crimson wool, with a single stripe of facing colour following the clothing regulations of 1727. Whereas it remained vague whether the sash was to be worn over the shoulder or around the waist, it was clarified in 1747 that sergeants had to wear their sashes around the waist. From 1768, the sergeant's waist sash had one (until 1825) resp. three (until 1845) stripes of facing colour; in regiments with red or purple facings the sergeant's sash had white stripes or remained plain crimson.[2][3]

Until 1914 waist-sashes in distinctive national colours were worn as a peace-time mark of rank by officers of the Imperial German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian armies, amongst others.

Thebarrel sashis a type of belt traditionally worn byhussars.

Modern Europe

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Since then sashes have been part of formal military attire (compare the sword-belt known as abaldric,and thecummerbund). Thus several other modern armies retain waist-sashes for wear by officers in ceremonial uniforms. These include the armies of Norway (crimson sashes), Sweden (yellow and blue), Greece (light blue and white), the Netherlands (orange), Portugal (crimson) and Spain (red and gold for generals, light blue for general staff and crimson for infantry officers).[4]

The SpanishRegulares(infantry descended from colonial regiments formerly recruited inSpanish Morocco) retain their historic waist-sashes for all ranks in colours that vary according to the unit.[5]

Sashes are a distinctive feature of some regiments of the modern French Army for parade dress. They are worn around the waist in the old Algerian or zouave style ( "ceinture de laine" ). Traditionally these sashes were more than 4 m (13 ft) in length and 40 cm (16 in) in width. In the historicFrench Army of Africa,sashes were worn around the waist in either blue for European or red for indigenous troops.[6]

(British) Commonwealth of Nations

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The modernBritish Armyretains a scarlet sash for wear in certain orders of dress by sergeants and above serving ininfantryregiments,over the right shoulder to the left hip. A similar crimson silk net sash is worn around the waist by officers of theFoot Guardsin scarlet full dress and officers of line infantry in dark blue "Number 1" dress. The same practice is followed in someCommonwealtharmies.

The present-day armies ofIndiaandPakistanboth make extensive use of waist-sashes for ceremonial wear. The colours vary widely according to regiment or branch and match those of the turbans where worn. Typically two or more colours are incorporated in the sash, in vertical stripes. One end hangs loose at the side and may have an ornamental fringe. The practice of wearing distinctive regimental sashes or cummerbunds goes back to the late nineteenth century.[7]

Cross-belts resembling sashes are worn by drum majors in the Dutch, British and someCommonwealtharmies. These carry scrolls bearing the names of battle honours.

United States of America

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Washington at PrincetonbyCharles Wilson Peale(1779)

In the United States,George Washington,who served ascommander-in-chiefof theContinental Armyduring theAmerican Revolutionary Warand later served as the firstPresident of the United States,was noted for wearing a blue ribbed sash, similar to that of the BritishOrder of the Garter,early in the war, as he had in 1775 prescribed the use of green, pink, and blue sashes to identify aides de camp, brigade-majors, brigadiers general, majors general, and the commander in chief in the absence of formal uniforms. He later gave up the sash as "unrepublican" and "pretentious for all but the highest-ranking aristocracy", according to historians. Washington is seen wearing the sash inCharles Wilson Peale's 1779 paintingWashington at Princeton.[8][9]

Sashes continued to be used in theUnited States Armyfor sergeants and officers. In 1821 the red sashes (crimson for officers) were limited tofirst sergeantsand above. In 1872 the sashes were abolished by all ranks but generals who continued to wear their buff silk sashes in full dress until 1917. Waist sashes (in combination with a sabre) in the old style are still worn by the officers and senior NCOs of theCommander-in-Chief's Guardof the3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)as well by the West Point Band drum major along with the West Point cadet officers.[10][11]The drum major of theOld Guard Fife and Drum Corpsalso still wears a waist sash, but no sidearms.

At the time of theAmerican Civil War(1861–65) generals of the regular US Army wore silk sashes in buff. Officers were authorized silk sashes in crimson (medical officers:emerald) while red woolen sashes were entitled to senior non-commissioned officers (Army Regulations of 1861). In theConfederate Armysashes were worn by all sergeant ranks and officers. The colour indicated the corps or status of the wearer. For example: yellow for cavalry, burgundy for infantry, black for chaplains, red for sergeants, green or blue for medics, and grey or cream for general officers.

Japan

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Japanese officers continued the practice in full dress uniform until 1940.[12]

Presidential sash

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Apresidential sashis a cloth sash worn bypresidentsof many nations in the world. Such sashes are worn by presidents in Africa, Asia, Europe and, most notably, in Latin America.

The sash is an important symbol of the continuity of the presidency, and is only worn by the president. Its value as a symbol of the office of the head of state can be compared to that of acrownin monarchies. Presidents leaving office formally present the sash to their successor as part of the officialinaugurationceremony.

Presidential sashes are usually very colorful and very large and designed to resemble the nation's flag, especially those of Latin American presidents. They are usually worn over the right shoulder to the left side of the hip. The nationalcoat of armsis also usually placed on the sash. Anational order's star or chain of office can also be worn.

Current national leaders

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Modern civilian and cultural use

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Prince Louis, Duke of Nemours,wearing the red sash of theLegion of Honourwith his ceremonial military uniform, 1840s
Beauty pageantwinner wearing two sashes
Theformer president of the Republic of Surinamewearing aceremonial collarin a V-shaped neck sash style

With the genesis of complex systems of military and civilian awards during the 18th century in most European countries, sashes became a distinguishing part ofhonorific ordersand are mostly worn along with decorations and medals. Today, various members of most Europeanroyal familieswear sashes (also known as ribands) as part of their royal (and/or military)regaliaon formal occasions. Somemerit orders(such as the FrenchLegion of Honour) also include sashes as part of the senior-most grades' insignia. Likewise, Italian military officers wear light blue sashes over the right shoulder on ceremonial occasions.

InLatin Americaand some countries ofAfrica,a specialpresidential sashindicates apresident's authority. InFranceandItaly,sashes – featuring the national flagtricoloursand worn on the right shoulder – are used by public authorities and local officials (such as legislators) during public ceremonial events.

In theUnited States,the sash has acquired a more ceremonial and less practical purpose. Sashes are used at higher educationcommencement ceremonies,byhigh schoolhomecoming parade nominees, inbeauty pageants,and by corporations to acknowledge high achievement.

InCanada,hand-woven sashes (known asceintures fléchéesor sometimes "L'Assomption sashes" after aQuebectown namedL'Assomptionin which they were mass-produced) were derived fromIroquoiscarrying belts sometime during the 18th century. As a powerful multi-use tool, this sash found use in thefur trade,which brought it into the North West by means of Frenchvoyageurs.During this period, the weave got tighter and size expanded, with some examples more than four metres in length. Coloured thread was widely used. The sash is a shared cultural emblem between French-Canadians andMétispeoples. Today, it is considered to be primarily a symbol of the 1837Lower Canada RebellionPatriotesand the Métis Nation. In modern times,Bonhomme Carnaval,the snowman mascot of theQuebec Winter Carnival,wears aceinture fléchéeas part of his attire in recognition of the province's heritage.

In theBritish Isles,especiallyNorthern Ireland,the sash is a symbol of theOrange Order.Orange Order sashes were originally of the ceremonial shoulder-to-hip variety, as worn by the British military. Over the course of the 20th century, the sash was mostly replaced by V-shaped collarettes, which are still generally referred to as sashes. The item is celebrated in the song "The Sash my Father Wore".

Sashes are also worn by:

Sashes are part of thediplomatic uniformof many countries.

Many modern schools of Chinese martial arts use sashes of various colors to denote rank, as a reflection of the Japanese ranking system using belts. The Japanese equivalent of a sash,obi,serves to hold akimonooryukatatogether.

Honorific orders

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Sashes are indicative of holding the class ofGrand Crossor Grand Cordon in achivalric orderor anorder of merit.The sash is usually worn from the right shoulder to the left hip. A few orders do the contrary, according to their traditional statute.

William, Prince of Wales,wearing Garter Riband and Star in 2011
Knight of the Garter in the 1720s with Garter sash

Orders with the sash worn on the left shoulder

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Europe:

Asia:

Sultanate ofBrunei
Decorations Post-nominal Grade Ribbon Sources
TheRoyal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei
Darjah Kerabat Mahkota Brunei
DKMB Recipient [17]
The Most EsteemedFamily Order of Laila Utama
Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama Yang Amat Dihormati
DK I Recipient [17]
The Most EsteemedFamily Order of Seri Utama
Darjah Kerabat Seri Utama Yang Amat Dihormati
DK II Recipient [17]
The Most EminentOrder of Islam Brunei
Darjah Seri Ugama Islam Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar
PSSUB First Class [17]
The Most IllustriousOrder of Paduka Laila Jasa Keberanian Gemilang
Darjah Paduka Laila Jasa Keberanian Gemilang Yang Amat Cemerlang
DPKG First Class [18]
The Most ExaltedOrder of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang
Darjah Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang Yang Amat Gemilang
DKLT First Class [17]
The Most GallantOrder of Pahlawan Negara Brunei
Darjah Pahlawan Negara Brunei Yang Amat Perkasa
PSPNB First Class [19]
The Most BlessedOrder of Setia Negara Brunei
Darjah Setia Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bahagia
PSNB First Class [20]
The Most DistinguishedOrder of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa
Darjah Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Yang Amat Berjasa
PSLJ First Class [21]
The Most HonourableOrder of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei
Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia
SPMB First Class [22]
The Most Faithful OrderOrder of Perwira Agong Negara Brunei
Darjah Perwira Agong Negara Brunei Yang Amat Setia
PANB Recipient [23]
PaNB Recipient [23]
Federation ofMalaysia
Decorations Post-nominal Grade Ribbon Sources
The Most Exalted and Most IllustriousRoyal Family Order of Malaysia
Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia
DKM Recipient [24]
The Most ExaltedOrder of the Crown of the Realm
Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara
DMN Recipient [24]
Sultanate ofKedah
The Most IllustriousRoyal Family Order of Kedah
Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Mulia Kedah
DK Member [citation needed]
Sultanate ofKelantan
The Most EsteemedRoyal Family Order of Kelantan(Al-Yunusi Star)
Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat di-Hormati (Bintang al-Yunusi)
DK Recipient [citation needed]
Sultanate ofNegeri Sembilan
The Most IllustriousRoyal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan
Darjah Kerabat Negeri Sembilan Yang Amat di-Mulia
DKNS Member [citation needed]
TheOrder of Negeri Sembilan-Darjah Negeri Sembilan
Darjah Tertinggi Negeri Sembilan DTNS Paramount [citation needed]
Darjah Mulia Negeri Sembilan DMNS Illustrious
Sultanate ofPahang
The Most IllustriousRoyal Family Order of Pahang
Darjah Kerabat Yang Maha Mulia Utama Kerabat di-Raja Pahang
DKP Member(Ahli) [citation needed]
The Most EsteemedFamily Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang
Darjah Kerabat Sri Indra Mahkota Pahang Yang Amat di-Hormati
DK I Member 1st class
Sultanate ofPerak
The Most EsteemedRoyal Family Order of Perak
Darjah Kerabat di-Raja Yang Amat di-Hormati
DK Member(Ahli)
(before 2001)

(after 2001)
[citation needed]
The Most EsteemedPerak Family Order of Sultan Azlan Shah
Darjah Kerabat Sultan Azlan Shah Perak Yang Amat di-Hormati
DKSA Superior class [citation needed]
The Most Esteemed Azlanii Royal Family Order
Darjah Yang Teramat Mulia Darjah Kerabat Azlanii
DKA I Member First Class [citation needed]
Sultanate ofPerlis
The Most EsteemedRoyal Family Order of Perlis
Darjah Kerabat di-Raja Perlis Yang Amat Amat di-Hormati
DKP Recipient [citation needed]
The M. Est.Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail
Darjah Kerabat Perlis Baginda Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail Yang Amat Amat di-Hormati
DK Recipient [citation needed]
Sultanate ofSelangor
The Most EsteemedRoyal Family Order of Selangor-Darjah Kerabat Selangor Yang Amat di-Hormati
Darjah Kerabat Selangor Pertama DK I First Class [citation needed]
Darjah Kerabat Selangor Kedua DK II Second Class [25]
Sultanate ofTerengganu
The Most ExaltedSupreme Royal Family Order of Terengganu(10/03/1981)
Darjah Utama Kerabat di-Raja Terengganu Yang Amat di-Hormati
DKT Member(Ahli) [citation needed]
The Most DistinguishedFamily Order of Terengganu(19/06/1962)
Darjah Kebesaran Kerabat Terengganu Yang Amat Mulia
DK I Member 1st class
Ahli Yang Pertama
[citation needed]

Classified examples of current orders' sashes

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Colours classified in
the order of the rainbow:
White Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet Black
WHITE
()
Order of the Dannebrog
()
Order of Grimaldi
()
Order of Vytautas the Great
/()
Order of Isabella the Catholic
()
Order of Liberty
RED
()
Order of the Golden Fleece
()
Order of Christ
()
Order of the Legion of Honour
()
Order of the Lion of Finland
()
Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
()
Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
()
Order of Saint-Charles
()
Order of May
()
Order of the White Lion
()
Order of the Crown of Tonga
()
Royal Order of Pouono
()
Order of St. Olav
()
Royal Order of King Sobhuza II
()
Military Order of Swaziland
()
Royal Order of Cambodia
()
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
/()
Order of Logohu
()
Order of the White Elephant
()
Order of the Golden Heart
()
Order of the Burning Spear
()
Order of the Chrysanthemum
/()
Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein
()
Order of the Star of Romania
()
Order of Saint Gregory the Great
()
Order of the Golden Spur
()
Order of Brilliant Jade
()
Order of Charles XIII
()
Grand Order of Mugunghwa
OTHER SHADES OF RED: CRIMSON / PINK
()
Order of the Bath
()
Order of the Crown
()
Order of the White Star
()
Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
()
Order of Chula Chom Klao
()
Military Order of Saint James of the Sword
ORANGE
()
Order of the Phoenix
()
Order of the House of Orange
()
Order for Loyalty and Merit
()
Order of the Dragon King
()
National Order of Merit
()
Order of the Precious Crown
()
Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas
()
Order of Orange-Nassau
()
Order of the Crown
()
Order of the Phoenix
YELLOW / GOLD / YELLOW-ORANGE
()
Order of the Aztec Eagle
()
Order of the Royal House of Chakri
()
Royal Order of the Great She-Elephant
()
Medal of Victory of the Thunder Dragon
()
Order of Moniseraphon
()
Royal Household Order of Tonga
()
Order of the Rajamitrabhorn
()
National Order of Mali
()
Order of Merit
()
Royal Household Order of Swaziland
(-)
Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
()
Order of Beneficence
()
Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II
()
Order of the Golden Heart
()
Order of Public Instruction
()
Order of the Sword
GREEN
()
Order of the Thistle
()
Order of Aviz
()
Order of the Condor of the Andes
()
Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
()
Order of the Lion
()
Order of the Crown
()
Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
()
Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary
()
Order of the Direkgunabhorn
()
Order of the Star of Jordan
()
Nishan-e-Pakistan
()
Order of Vasa
BLUE
()
Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
()
Order of the White Rose of Finland
()
Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
()
Order of the Tower and Sword
()
Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
()
Ordre national du Mérite
()
Order of the Merit of Chile
()
Order of the Garter
()
Order of the Holy Spirit
()
Order of the White Eagle
()
Royal Order of the Seraphim
()
Order of Queen Salote Tupou III
()
Order of the Elephant
()
Order of the Southern Cross
()
Most Dignified Order of Moshoeshoe
()
Order of Rio Branco
()
Order of the Redeemer
()
Order of the Liberator General San Martín
/()
Order of Civil Merit
/()
Order of Charles III
()
Order of Faithful Service
(-)
Order of the African Star
()
Order of the Falcon
()
Royal Victorian Order
/()
Order of the Crown of Thailand
/()
Order of the Defender of the Realm
/()
Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia
()
Order of St Michael and St George
()
Order of the White Double Cross
()
Order of Pius IX
()
Order of Adolphe of Nassau
()
Order of Honour
()
Order of the Netherlands Lion
()
Order of the Three Stars
()
Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise
()
Order of Leopold II
()
Order of the Nile
()
Presidential Medal of Freedom W/ Distinction
VIOLET - PURPLE
()
Order of Saint James of the Sword
()
Order of Leopold
()
Order of the Sun
()
Order of al-Hussein bin Ali
()
Order of Queen Maria Luisa
()
Order of Independence
()
Order of Vasco Núñez de Balboa
(-)
Royal Order of the Lion
()
Order of Culture
()
Legion of Merit
()
Order of Academic Palms
()
Distinguished Service Order (Military)
BLACK
()
Order of the Holy Sepulchre
()
Sovereign Military Order of Malta
()
Order of Rama
()
Order of Merit
()
Order of Saint Sylvester
()
Order of the Polar Star
TRICOLOR / MORE COMPLEX
()
Order of the Star of Melanesia
()
Order of Prince Henry
()
Star of the Solomon Islands
()
National Order of Merit
()
Royal Order of Bhutan
()
Supreme Order of the Renaissance
()
Grand Order of King Tomislav
()
Grand Order of Queen Jelena
()
Order of Liberty
()
Most Courteous Order of Lesotho

See also

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References

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  1. ^Carl Franklin:British Army Uniforms of the American Revolution 1751-1783,Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military, 2012,ISBN978-1-84884-690-6,p. 356, p. 371,
  2. ^"British Army Sergeant's Sash, 1727-1826".www.militaryheritage.com.RetrievedJune 29,2022.
  3. ^(Major) R. (Robert) Money Barnes,Military uniforms of Britain & the Empire: 1742 to the present time,London: Seeley Service & Co, 1960, p. 52.
  4. ^Rinaldo D'Ami, "World Uniforms in Colour - the European Nations",ISBN0-85059-031-0
  5. ^José Bueno, Ejército Español, Uniformes Contemporáneos ",ISBN84-7140-186-X
  6. ^André Jouineau, "The French Army in 1914", pages 45-63,ISBN978-2-352-50104-6
  7. ^John Gaylor, "Sons of John Company - the Indian and Pakistan Armies",ISBN0-946771-98-7
  8. ^Keller, Jared (November 16, 2016)."The Strange Case of George Washington's Disappearing Sash".Smithsonian.Smithsonian Institution.RetrievedSeptember 4,2020.
  9. ^Rogers, James (August 29, 2017)."George Washington's 'rediscovered' Revolutionary War sash on display".Fox News.21st Century Fox.RetrievedSeptember 4,2020.
  10. ^Fredrick Todd, "Cadet Gray: A pictorial history of life at West Point as seen through its uniforms", Sterling Publishing 1955, p. 40
  11. ^West Point Band
  12. ^Ritta Nakanishi, "Japanese Military Uniforms 1930-1945, 1991 Dai Nippon Kaiga
  13. ^Royal Cabinet WebsiteArchived2008-04-24 at theWayback Machine
  14. ^Royal Cabinet Website
  15. ^Royal Cabinet Website,Order of the White ElephantArchived2005-09-24 at theWayback Machine
  16. ^Royal Cabinet Website,Order of the Crown of ThailandArchived2007-07-17 at theWayback Machine
  17. ^abcde"Darjah Kebesaran Sultan Brunei".Darjah Kebesaran Sultan Brunei.Retrieved2023-07-24.
  18. ^"Sultanate - His Majesty's 57th Birthday Celebration Website | His Majesty The Sultan's Birthday | Royal Birthday".www.sultanate.com.Retrieved2023-07-24.
  19. ^"The Most Gallant Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei | Royal Insignia".2019-06-05.Retrieved2023-07-24.
  20. ^"The Most Blessed Order of Setia Negara Brunei | Royal Insignia".2019-06-05.Retrieved2023-07-24.
  21. ^"ODM of Brunei: Order of Merit of Brunei".www.medals.org.uk.Retrieved2023-07-24.
  22. ^"ODM of Brunei: Order of the Crown of Brunei".www.medals.org.uk.Retrieved2023-07-24.
  23. ^ab"ODM of Brunei: Order of the Crown of Brunei".www.medals.org.uk.Retrieved2023-07-24.
  24. ^abGeneral visual table of decorations
  25. ^Selangor Official Website,DK II

Bibliography

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