Cockade

A cockade is a knot of ribbons, or other circular- or oval-shaped symbol of distinctive colours which is usually worn on a hat or cap.

[3][4] These first cockades were inspired by the distinctive coloured bands and ribbons that were used in the Late Middle Ages by knights, both in war and in tournaments, which had the same purpose, namely to distinguish the opponent from the fellow soldier.

Its main characteristic was that of being able to be clearly visible, thus giving way to unequivocally identify the political ideas of the person who wore it, as well as that of being, in case of need, better hideable than, for example, a flag.

[7][8] Because individual armies might wear a variety of differing regimental uniforms, cockades were used as an effective and economical means of national identification.

[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] During the American Revolution, the Continental Army initially wore cockades of various colors as an ad hoc form of rank insignia, as General George Washington wrote: As the Continental Army has unfortunately no uniforms, and consequently many inconveniences must arise from not being able to distinguish the commissioned officers from the privates, it is desired that some badge of distinction be immediately provided; for instance that the field officers may have red or pink colored cockades in their hats, the captains yellow or buff, and the subalterns green.

The cockade of Italy is one of the national symbols of the coutry and is composed of the three colours of the Italian flag with the green in the centre, the white immediately outside and the red on the edge.

[36][37] Their origin reverts to the distinctive colored band or ribbon worn by late medieval armies or jousting knights on their arms or headgear to distinguish friend from foe in the field of battle.

Nazis reintroduced the imperial colours (in German: die kaiserlichen Farben or Reichsfarben) of black on the outside, white next, and a red center.

France began the first Air Service in 1909 and soon picked the traditional French cockade as the first national emblem, now usually termed a roundel, on military aircraft.

During World War I, other countries adopted national cockades and used these coloured emblems as roundels on their military aircraft.

A woman fastening a red-and-white cockade to a Polish insurgent's square-shaped rogatywka cap during the January Uprising of 1863–64
The cockade of France , which originated and spread among the revolts of the French Revolution
The cockade of Italy , on which the national colours of Italy were based in 1789
John VI of Portugal wearing the blue-and-red cockade of Portugal on a military cocked hat
A metal cockade on the swivel of a Pickelhaube helmet.
Cockade on the caps of certified persons serving in the pilot service of Russia , 1913.
Carabinieri in full uniform at the military parade of the Festa della Repubblica of 2 June 2006. On their hat, under the coat of arms, is the cockade of Italy .
Cockades of the German Empire