THE RED SHIELD
The Red Shield is an internationally recognised symbol of Salvation Army service to those in need. Its origins trace back to the turn of the century when one of the symbols of The Salvation Army was a silver shield with the words ‘Salvation Army’ emblazoned across it. The shield was worn as a badge by many Salvation Army personnel. The Red Shield emblem came to represent The Salvation Army’s reputation for being at the frontline of need. |
THE CREST
The Crest is less recognisable than the Red Shield, but the crest is a meaningful symbol of Salvation Army beliefs. Its emblems set forth the leading doctrines of The Salvation Army as follows:
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THE FLAG
Around the world, The Salvation Army flag is a symbol of the Army’s war against sin and social evil. The red of the flag represents the blood of Christ, the blue border stands for purity, and the yellow star in the centre signifies the fire of the Holy Spirit. The flag is used at special occasions such as marriages, funerals, marches, open-air meetings, enrolments of soldiers, farewells, and retirements. The first Salvation Army flag was designed and presented to the Coventry Corps in England by Catherine Booth in 1878. At the time, the centre of the flag was a yellow sun representing the Light of Life. This was changed to the star in 1882. |
THE UNIFORM
The Salvation Army uniform reflects the military model upon which the Army is organised. Internally it provides a sense of identity and belonging. Externally it is a widely recognised symbol of availability and service, so we've easily identified the world over. The uniform dress code differs by territories, commands, and regions. |
THE DRUM
To Salvationists, the drum has always been more than a musical instrument. From the first, the drum’s supreme function was as a ‘mercy seat’ in open-air meetings. Thousands of people have knelt at the drum and claimed Salvation from their sins. When the Army drum made its first appearance, some people said its use in religious meetings was nothing less than sacrilege, but William Booth claimed it was just as proper to “beat” the people into a Salvation meeting as to “ring” them into church. Of course, the drum is also very much a part of The Salvation Army musical tradition, playing as it does with the brass band. |
THE BAND
The Salvation Army today is renowned worldwide for its brass bands, timbrel and choirs, but the introduction of bands to the Army happened almost by chance. The first Salvation Army band was launched in Salisbury, England, in 1878 and was made up of Charles Fry, a local builder and leader of the Methodist orchestra, and his three sons. Salvation Army evangelists in Salisbury were having trouble with local hooligans, so Fry and his sons offered to act as bodyguards while the Salvationists sang in the marketplace. As an afterthought the Frys brought their instruments to accompany the singing. In this unwitting fashion the first Salvation Army band was born. Their immediate success led the Fry family to sell their business and become full-time musicians with the Army. Within the next few years, brass bands sprang up all over the country, leading to their prominent place in The Salvation Army of today. |