Chevrons and their designations. The meaning of the word "chevron"

Chevrons and their designations.  The meaning of the word

Chevron(in Russian - rafter) - a sign (image) of two segments connected at an angle at the ends is a sign of distinction:

Also used:

  • in heraldry, as an element of coats of arms or flags;
  • in architecture to describe ornaments and elements of building structures;
  • on military equipment (as a badge of rank).

Story chevrons

Insignia - one of ancient artifacts. Throughout the history of tribes, there were special symbols that made it possible to distinguish members of one clan from another. Such signs were considered sacred, provided invisible support, and were a kind of unifying principle. In addition, insignia helped to build a hierarchical ladder. Wherein appearance such signs have changed dramatically over the course of human history. At first, the symbolism was far from our modern format. After all, the first « chevrons » - these are tattoos! In addition, different nationalities used feathers, stone beads, shells and other decorations as insignia, which complemented the clothing of primitive people. When exactly did these signs turn into modern ones? chevrons And stripes It's hard to say. But already in Ancient China we meet the first insignia on clothing. They were worn by civilians, and they designated the positions of officials. Around the same time, prototypes of military patches appeared. Widely known stripes Roman legionnaires. Each cohort or division of the Roman Empire had its own emblem, which carried very important information for its comrades. Then this kind of identification marks spread throughout Europe.

Initially chevron had the shape of a cross, and was named by the Provençal word “cahiron”, which meant “goats” - two crossed logs. Later many forms appeared chevrons, but the name remains the same. It is worth noting that not only the appearance of the stripes changed, but also their meaning. Yes, first chevron denoted the seniority of the military man, then the number of sewn symbols began to symbolize the number of wounds of the military man, length of service, and so on.

But chevrons And stripes were not an attribute only of military clothing. In peaceful life, they acted as a kind of symbols of social differences, by which one could determine the place in the hierarchical structure of society, profession, religious and political affiliation of a particular person. With time stripes have become an integral part of clothing. Today they are often used in youth clothing; in addition, it is difficult to imagine corporate clothing, clothing for athletes, and, of course, the military without stripes. There is a special science of signumanism, which deals with collecting and systematizing various badges, as well as a number of heraldic rules according to which images on chevrons .

History of Chevrons: The Ancient World

Even in ancient times, when social stratification of society first appeared, insignia also appeared. These could be tattoos, embroidery on clothes, feathers and beads.

Time passed. Society became more and more complex in structure. And so in Ancient China, in order to distinguish government officials, they began to sew special insignia onto their clothes. These were the first chevrons. This most likely happened in the Shang-Yin era (about 1,600-1,046 BC): it was at this time that the clan system was replaced class society. Officials begin to be divided by rank, a clear hierarchy is built, and this is what is consolidated chevrons. By the way, in those days the position of an official was hereditary.

Later these became popular in Ancient Rome, but already among the military. Legionnaires wore the emblem of their cohort on their uniforms. Where did this tradition come from? Initially, the legions were militias, and their composition was variable. However, under Emperor Augustus the situation changed. Octavian Augustus is the heir of Julius Caesar, the grandson of his sister. The big name of Caesar makes one forget that it was Octavian Augustus, and not Caesar himself, who was the creator and founder of the great Roman Empire. And the created empire required a standing army with a clear hierarchy. Previously, legionnaires were loyal to their commanders, and not to the emperor: by the way, this is exactly what Caesar took advantage of when he came to power at the head of his troops. Octavian Augustus learned a lesson from the rise of his great-uncle, and decided that from now on the Roman army would obey the emperor. This is how permanent legions arose, and their names came from the provinces in which they were created. Was thought out and new system officers, which required the creation of chevrons.

Each legion had chevron with your logo. Usually it was a symbolic animal. The bull was especially popular: it was originally a symbol of the legions founded by Julius Caesar. It was the bull that was on the chevrons of the warriors of these legions. Among other animals, the eagle and the unicorn were in the lead.

History of chevrons: Middle Ages

For some reason, false information has spread on the Internet: as if the word “ chevron" originated in the Middle Ages in France, translated as "ship rafters" and supposedly designated such officers of the sailing fleet. The source of this information is unknown, but it is more than doubtful: in the Middle Ages there was no navy in France. There wasn't at all. And there were no naval officers either. So they couldn’t have any chevrons.

The navy in France began to form only under the famous Cardinal Richelieu, but at that time there was already a military stripes, only in France they were not called “ chevron”, and the word “galon”, which we adopted at one time into the Russian language.

By the way, naval officers They didn’t even wear gold ones as insignia epaulets. They shone brightly in the sun and were very noticeable during boarding. Therefore, it was always easy for the enemy to aim at the officer. For this reason, naval officers unfastened their epaulets and fought without insignia, except for the fact that they tied it on their arm white scarf. Until now, by tradition, naval officers of the civil fleet do not wear at the same time shoulder straps And stripes. This serves as proof that the chevron did not come to us from the navy.

So, in the Middle Ages they became widespread in different countries. Almost all troops in uniform had and chevrons. For example, the famous musketeer regiment.

Chevron: where did this word come from?

But if the legend about ship rafters turned out to be a fiction, where did such a word come from? The word "chevron" actually comes from French, but the story here is much more complicated. There were numerous provinces in France, and each of them spoke its own dialect. The chevron came to the French literary language from the Provençal dialect, where it was written as “cahiron”. And this word meant wooden goats. Why were the military suddenly compared to carpenter's goats? Provence is a border province, wars were common there. And the cross is quite common stripe for any army. So they began to call the image of a cross on an officer’s uniform “goats” because of the conformity of the shape.

We read about this origin of the word in A.D. Mikhelson’s dictionary, which was published back in 1865: that is, it is not influenced by false information from the Internet.



History of chevrons: 19th century

No wonder it shrinks angrily
hand in embroidered chevrons.

V.M. Gusev, "October Review"

In the form they have now, chevrons became famous thanks to Emperor Napoleon. It was he who introduced the following system for his troops: for a service period of 15, 15 and 20 years, a galloon is sewn on the sleeve of the uniform above the left elbow V-shape. For each chevron there was an additional increase in salary. The system took root, and since then the word “chevron” has been strengthened in precisely this meaning: stripe V-shaped for length of service and other merits.

Chevrons have taken root in all armies of the world. IN Russian Empire indicated the duration of extended service. Russian chevrons worn on the left sleeve of a uniform or overcoat, they were a gold or silver braid in the form of an angle facing down.

Chevron in our time

And for some reason it doesn’t give me peace
The hucksters have my chevron on their sleeves,
Everyone asks: “What is this?
And what, major“Did you get lost in Moscow?”

Now already chevron history forgotten by many. Sleeve and chest patches began to be called chevrons. stripes, emblems and other signs that are not originally chevrons. Only in Great Britain, which is famous for its conservatism and respect for traditions, the word “chevron” still means only coal galloon. Not a single Englishman would call an emblem patch a chevron.

If we open any authoritative explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, we will be surprised to discover that in our country the chevron is just a reference to title and awards, nothing more. However, in colloquial speech we rarely follow this meaning.

Modern chevron in Russia

Now coal is located on shoulder straps of both military and civilian services. For example, you will see a golden corner on the chase Russian Railways. Also a classic example of a chevron is the “course” - charcoal marks for students of military universities and Suvorov schools. One corner - for one year of study.

In modern Russian army The title is usually denoted by an “asterisk”. Traditional chevron squares are now decorated only shoulder straps sergeants. But beautiful chevrons Our history gave us: the Red Army. There are two on the green uniform red corner with a layer of gold - lieutenant, three red with two gold layers - senior lieutenant. One red chevron – captain, two red ones - major. Two gold ones with a red layer - Colonel. One gold - brigade commander, two - division commander, three - corps commander, four - second rank. One golden square and a golden star - commander first rank.

Modern chevron in the world

Beautiful and unusual - American chevron. If in Russia a chevron traditionally represents a right angle, then in USA this corner was turned into a smooth swoosh with soft lines. US chevrons are gold with blue trim. One corner represents a private, two corners a corporal, and three corners a sergeant.

The chevron on the shoulder straps of a NATO soldier is silver on a blue background.

It’s not for nothing that Paris is considered the capital of fashion. Modern French ones are especially beautiful due to the difference in their shades. In addition, on the shoulder straps of the French military

The section is very easy to use. Just enter the desired word in the field provided, and we will give you a list of its meanings. I would like to note that our site provides data from various sources - encyclopedic, explanatory, word-formation dictionaries. Here you can also see examples of the use of the word you entered.

Meaning of the word chevron

chevron in the crossword dictionary

Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, Dal Vladimir

chevron

m. French a patch on the sleeve of lower military ranks, for longevity of famous years. Chevron basson.

Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. D.N. Ushakov

chevron

chevron, m. (French chevron) (military). A galloon patch on the sleeve in the form of two stripes crossing at an acute angle. Non-commissioned officer silver chevrons.

Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I.Ozhegov, N.Yu.Shvedova.

chevron

A, m. (special). A patch made of galloon, cord or braid on uniform clothing (usually on the sleeve, in the form of an angle). Gold chevrons. Sh. for wounding (during the Great Patriotic War: red or gold chest stripe as a sign of injury).

adj. chevron, -aya, -oe.

New explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.

chevron

m. A braided patch on the sleeve of a uniform, usually having the shape of an acute angle.

Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998

chevron

"CHEVRON" (Chevron) US oil company. Founded in 1879, until 1984 - Standard Oil Company of California. Sales volume 25.2 billion dollars, net profit 1.8 billion dollars, oil production 48.5 million tons, refining 95 million tons, incl. OK. 75% in the USA; number of employed 54 thousand people (late 1980s).

chevron

CHEVRON (French chevron) galloon stripes usually on the sleeves of uniforms of soldiers, sergeants, non-commissioned officers in the Russian and foreign armies to identify military ranks and the number of years of service for long-term service members.

Chevron

(French chevron), charcoal and other shaped stripes made of galloon, braid or cord on various parts of the uniform (mainly on the sleeve) to determine military ranks in many armies. Sh. are also used to indicate the number of years of extended service, the year of training of cadets, injury, etc. In the Soviet Armed Forces, sh. (gold-colored braids) were installed in February 1941 for wearing by conscripts of the Navy on the left sleeve of greatcoats and pea coats, and from November 1945 for conscripts Soviet army squares made of silver or gold braid on the left sleeve of an overcoat, uniform, tunic (existed until January 1958).

Wikipedia

Chevron (insignia)

Chevron(from, literally: rafter, roof ridge, that is something V-shaped) - a graphic sign (image) consisting of two segments connected by the ends at an angle, like a Latin letter V(or V, rotated in a wide variety of ways) is:

  • insignia of one or another professional and the like on uniforms to indicate a wide variety of corporate characteristics and differences;
Note: Often chevron incompetently call any sign, patch, image on clothing, not at all V-shaped appearance. However, in fact, such insignia chevrons are not, because they do not have V-shaped...
  • a sign of distinction on the basis of “friend or foe” on weapons and military equipment;
  • in heraldry, as an element of coats of arms or flags;
  • in architecture to describe ornaments and elements of building structures.

Chevron (disambiguation)

Chevron. Something V-shaped.

  • Chevron is a sign on a uniform that determines rank or length of service, an architectural element, a heraldic symbol.
  • Chevron - a structure of halite in the form of a series of parallel stripes, consisting of regularly oriented cubes filled with brine. Together with the structure, the hopper is primarily sedimentary.
  • Chevron - a group of wedge-shaped sedimentary forms, dunes.
  • Chevrons are the rear sawtooth edges of the nozzles of some jet engines.

Companies:

  • Chevron Corporation is a global energy and petrochemical company.
  • Chevron Cars Ltd is a racing car manufacturing company.

Chevron (aircraft manufacturing)

In the aerospace industry chevrons refers to the sawtooth trailing edges of the nacelles and nozzles of some jet engines that are used to reduce noise levels. The principle of their operation is that when hot air from a high-pressure turbine is mixed with cold air from a low-pressure turbine, the chevrons serve to smooth out the mixing, which helps reduce noise due to the occurrence of turbulence. Examples of such engines are GE GEnx, Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, PD-14 and D-18T series 3, 4.

Examples of the use of the word chevron in literature.

At first on Chevron They didn’t want to talk to Agassi, but he, accustomed to this kind of maneuver, agreed to immediately leave the planet.

Trent, Chevron, Zigi-Bob, Balanchine, Basseno and Crimea they reserve for themselves.

You must admit, this suits you very well. green beret with black leather rim and red chevron.

Having said this, he lovingly took a whistling breath through the deep holes in the form chevrons, cut into his cheeks.

Major taken by surprise Chevron He blinked in confusion, looking at the investor.

On his sleeve, lopsided, he held himself funny chevron division commander.

This face was Loyola, to whom I imperceptibly but firmly pasted into chevron gilded bead.

He was always changing something, for example, he begged us for a super-scarce sleeve chevron, which was first sewn for us in Tokmak.

The sun had not yet set, under its evening rays the gold of the shoulder straps and sleeves shone brightly chevrons, stars of Heroes and orders, polished buttons, edging of general and admiral caps.

Major was the next to die. Chevron, and his dreams of conquest and victory scattered along with his body.

As if I had a quarrel with some pathetic craftsman who makes pennies chevrons!

Stripes and chevrons are a small piece of fabric with an image embroidered on it. Their shape can be any - round, square, rectangular. These attributes are associated primarily with military personnel or employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They are insignia carrying information about what branch of the military the employee belongs to, what rank he holds. Any structure in the service of the state has its own individual images and symbols.

Private security firms also have similar differences. The stripes and chevrons belonging to internal affairs officers are particularly diverse, since their ministry includes more than twenty different structures. Distinctive insignia belonging to government departments have a specific place of attachment on uniforms.

Employees who wear chevrons and stripes:

  • military personnel;
  • rescuers;
  • security guards;
  • employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
  • railway workers and metro workers;
  • athletes.

The relevant law helped to clearly define the difference between chevrons and stripes Russian Federation, indicating their definition. According to him, they differ in their shape and location on clothing.

Definition of chevron

Initially, the word chevron meant a patch on the sleeve that carried information about the rank. Its shape should have been in the form of a square. The word has French roots and translated means rafter. The authors of the invention are the sailors who invented it. They had a rope at their disposal, which was attached to clothing in the shape of the Latin letter “B”. They did this in order to distinguish their soldiers from the enemy during battle. Currently, the original meaning has changed - it is a triangular piece of fabric that is attached to shoulder straps and gives an idea of ​​the rank of the person wearing it. In addition, it may indicate a battle wound received, an award, or have another meaning. Chevron is a type of stripe. Currently, the most popular are “Security” chevrons for various structures.

Stripe concept

Previously, the patch was a badge of honor that did not have a mandatory shape or location. It was placed both on the sleeve and on the shoulder strap. The adopted law introduced a definition of what a patch is and where it should be attached to the official clothing of various employees. For employees of state enterprises and private firms, the badge can be attached to the chest or sleeves. In non-state companies this issue is decided by management.

Today, the size of the patches has increased, which has made it possible to improve the quality of the design and work it out more clearly. You can attach it to a piece of clothing in several ways - using a needle and thread, hot glue, Velcro, or a sewing machine. This should be done with extreme caution so as not to spoil the appearance of the clothing. Among the most popular badges are “Security”, “Security”, “Security Service”, “Security Officer”.

Location of military patches, their designation

The following can be selected as the location of the patch:

  • left sleeve - indicates belonging to the armed forces;
  • right sleeve - belonging to a certain formation.

In addition to its direct purpose, the patch can be any embroidered image that is not related to any type of activity. Their popularity is much higher than that of chevrons. It can indicate presence to some social group. Production involves joining together several layers of fabric or cloth to give shape. The base usually consists of non-woven fabric, which helps maintain the original shape of the product. In mass production, a trial layout is first made. Based on it, the remaining copies are made using an embroidery machine. Automation of the process speeds up the production of large batches and gives them high quality.



Dictionary of Military Terms

Chevron

sleeve patch in the USSR Armed Forces.

Efremova's Dictionary

Chevron

m.
A braided patch on the sleeve of a uniform, usually in the shape of a sharp
corner.

Architectural Dictionary

Chevron

zigzag ornamental motif.

(Architecture: An Illustrated Guide, 2005)

Ushakov's Dictionary

Chevron

chevro n, chevron, husband. (French chevron) ( military). A galloon patch on the sleeve in the form of two stripes crossing at an acute angle. Non-commissioned officer silver chevrons.

Naval Dictionary

Chevron

a charcoal patch made of galloon, braid or cord on various parts of military uniforms (mainly on the sleeve), one of the insignia of military personnel in the armed forces of many states. Currently, instead of a chevron, the terms “sleeve patch” or “sleeve insignia” are used.

Ozhegov's Dictionary

CHEVRE ABOUT N, A, m.(specialist.). A patch made of galloon, cord or braid on uniform clothing (usually on the sleeve, in the form of an angle). Gold chevrons. Sh. for injury (during the Great Patriotic War: red or gold breast stripe as a sign of injury).

| adj. chevron, oh, oh.

Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

Chevron

A galloon (formerly braided) patch on the left sleeve of the uniform, denoting, if sewn at an angle upward, the rank of a candidate for a class position, ensign, estandard cadet or sub-soror, or (narrow silver) one who has passed the exam for an ordinary official. Sewn at an angle downward, it denotes a lower rank remaining for long-term service, the number of years of which is indicated by silver or gold narrow and wide chevrons.

encyclopedic Dictionary

Chevron

  1. (French chevron), galloon stripes usually on the sleeves of uniforms of soldiers, sergeants, non-commissioned officers in the Russian and foreign armies to determine military ranks and the number of years of service for long-term servicemen.
  2. (Chevron), US oil company. Founded in 1879, until 1984 - "Standard Oil Company of California". Sales volume 25.2 billion dollars, net profit 1.8 billion dollars, oil production 48.5 million tons, refining 95 million tons, including approx. 75% in the USA; number of employed 54 thousand people (late 1980s).

Encyclopedia of fashion and clothing

Chevron

(French chevron) - a stripe made of galloons in the form of an angle on the sleeve (usually the left) of uniform to determine military ranks in many armies, as well as to indicate the number of years of long-term service, the year of training of cadets, wounds (during war: a red or gold breast stripe) etc. In the Soviet Armed Forces, gold braided clothing was introduced in February 1941 for wearing by long-term servicemen in the Navy. Sh. was worn on the left sleeve of overcoats and pea coats, and from November 1945, long-term servicemen of the Soviet Army began to wear squares made of silver or gold galloon on the left sleeve of their overcoats and uniforms.



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