What are the uses of badges, and why do we wear them?

Ever wondered about the origins of badges and why we wear them? Badges serve a wide variety of purposes, from military honours to simple identification. We’ve all been in workplaces and educational establishments where wearing badges is expected.

Badges have a rich history and meaning for many groups, so let’s delve into some of the most common reasons groups choose to wear badges today.

A brief history of badges

The use of badges can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where they were used for a wide range of reasons. For example, ancient Egyptians used badges to denote social status and authority. Likewise, Roman soldiers would wear badges to signify their rank and legion. This would make it easier to quickly identify individuals during battle.

In the Middle Ages, badges were worn by pilgrims to show the places they had visited. Badges also took on a religious meaning, with individuals wearing them to show their devotion to a particular faith. And finally, they were also used to show a display of heritage and pride. Members of prominent families might wear badges of their coat of arms.

Modern uses for badges

Today, badges are used in very different ways and less likely to be worn every day. They are more likely to be temporary additions to an outfit, rather than worn every day. For example, we might wear them to display an achievement or for identification in the workplace. Here are some of the most common uses for badges today:

• Achievement and recognition

Educational establishments often use badges to allow individuals to share their accomplishments. They might be given for individuals who have achieved specific goals, or to display a rank within the school, such as prefect.

• Identification

Badges play a crucial role in identifying individuals in various contexts. Law enforcement officers, security personnel, and healthcare workers wear badges to signify their authority and profession. In corporate environments, employees wear badges with their names and job titles to establish a sense of familiarity and trust with customers and colleagues. At conferences, attendees might wear a lanyard to show their participation.

• Affiliation

Badges are often used to signify membership and affiliation with specific groups, organisations, or clubs. These badges are thought to create a sense of belonging and community among members. Examples of this include the emblems worn by scouts, military personnel, or alumni of educational institutions.

• Personal expression

Some people wear badges as a means of personal expression. These badges may contain slogans, symbols, or messages that reflect an individual’s beliefs, interests, or affiliations. Political activists, hobbyists, and enthusiasts often use badges to make their views and interests known. Fans of bands and TV shows might also wear badges as a way to show their appreciation and also connect with others who might be fans of the same things.

• Awards and Honours

Similar to historical military medals and honours, contemporary badges are used to recognize exceptional achievements and contributions. These awards can be found in fields such as sports, entertainment, and public service. Notable examples include Olympic medals and the Purple Heart for military valour.

What is the future of badges?

Badges don’t necessarily have to be a physical item you can wear anymore. With the rise of social media and our increasingly complex digital lives, badges can transcend the physical world and take on a new meaning.

We might see the rise of digital badges, allowing individuals to show the groups and organisations they belong to, or to show their appreciation and support for a movement. In the future, badges such as travel visas are also less likely to be physically added to the passport and will instead be stored in the biometric data of a passport. This makes them less likely to be duplicated and forged.