DAR Insignia is Worth 1,000 Words

A picture is worth a thousand words. The Egyptians were way ahead of us in that. More than 5,000 years ago they developed a style of communication, called hieroglyphics, that used little pictures to represent words. The Maya and other ancient civilizations also used symbols in place of letters or words.

A single picture or symbol can convey a complex idea or thought with just a single image that allows us to absorb large amounts of data quickly. For instance, a graphic illustration on a book cover will send a stronger message than words.

We’re all familiar with the saying “what goes around comes around” and we seem to have “come around” full circle. Corporations have used logos, symbols and pictures, to identify their company and its products for a long time. A corporate logo, which instantaneously identifies a company and its products, can also evoke certain emotions, excitement, enthusiasm, pleasure, delight, familiarity and even nostalgia. Words are not needed.

Ann Crider addressed the members of the Fort Prince George Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) because she noted that many members wear the insignia and recognize it, but that not everyone understands the significance behind it.

The DAR insignia is a round oval which represents a spinning wheel, and thirteen stars surround the oval represent representing the thirteen original colonies. The distaff represents flax. The blue and white colors come from General Washington’s military staff. Designed by Dr. George Goode, the insignia was adopted by DAR on May 26, 1891. Dr. Goode used his mother’s spinning wheel as his model and her spinning wheel is displayed at the DAR Museum in Washington, DC.

“When you use words to describe the insignia, it loses some of its appeal,” said Crider. “But when you see the insignia, it all comes together in your mind and you know instantly what it represents.” Crider also noted that a drawing or a picture can show at a glance what may take several pages in a book to describe.

Crider has been a member of DAR for more than 40 years and served in many high-ranking positions, including South Carolina State Regent. Crider said that her most fulfilling appointment was when she served as State Chaplain. “I participated in new chapters, grave markings and a special statue dedication for Christopher Columbus,” she said.

DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children. Founded in 1890, it is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Interested in learning more?  Visit the DAR website, DAR.org, for more information.