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A badge is a device or accessory used to display important information. It often contains the insignia, or special symbol, of a specific organization. People use badges for many different reasons. They can show a special accomplishment or a feat of service. Some badges act as symbols of authority. For example, police officers and firefighters wear them after taking an oath. Badges also serve as signs of legitimate employment or student status. They can even be used for branding, advertising, or publicity.

A Badge Pinning
A Badge Pinning

Badges are made from a wide variety of materials. Some are constructed from hard metals or smooth plastics. Others are made from softer materials like leather, textile, or rubber. Textile badges are often called patches. These can be woven or embroidered with designs. You can attach these patches to clothing using glue, an iron, or sewing techniques like applique. Some badges are small, round button badges. These have a plastic coating over an image and use a metal pin or safety pin on the back.

Dispositif d%27une épingle de sûreté sur une épinglette
Dispositif d%27une épingle de sûreté sur une épinglette

In history, badges were once as popular as fine jewelry. During the Middle Ages, they varied greatly in cost and quality. Some were extremely expensive works of jewelry. A famous example is the Dunstable Swan Jewel. Other people wore simple badges made of lead or other base metals. There were specialized types, such as pilgrim badges. These were worn by people who had finished a pilgrimage. There were also heraldic or livery badges. These showed allegiance to a political figure. In England, these became controversial before the Wars of the Roses. One royal celebration in 1483 distributed 13,000 badges. This was a very large number for the population at that time.

Badge 1012
Badge 1012

Different organizations use badges to show rank and membership. The military uses them to denote a specific unit or arm. They also show qualifications earned through training. Youth organizations, like scouting and guiding, use badges for group membership and awards. In the 17th century, the British Army made metal cap badges standard. These badges showed which regiment a soldier belonged to. By the 19th century, badges became a regular part of almost all uniforms. This included school uniforms in the United Kingdom. Many schools still feature a cloth badge on a student's blazer today.

Law enforcement agencies use very specific types of badges. In the United States, sheriff's badges are often star-shaped. They might have five, six, or seven points. Municipal police departments often use a shield shape. These metal badges are usually worn above the left chest pocket. They often feature an enameled seal of the city or organization in the center. Detectives who work in plainclothes may wear their badges on a belt or a neck chain.

Dima-rs1
Dima-rs1

Badges are also used in professional and digital settings. In Japan, lawyers wear lapel pin badges. These serve as identification in court. Because lawyers have special legal powers, the pins help them identify themselves quickly. In the world of computing, badges are used to show skills. The Mozilla Badges Project is an example of this. Digital badges act as alternative credentials in education. They are similar to the Badges for Lifelong Learning initiative from the MacArthur Foundation. Even computer hardware uses them. "Case badges" are thick lucite stickers used on computer cases.

Badge 1012
Badge 1012

Collecting badges has become a popular hobby for many people. Some badges are highly collectible because they are rare. For instance, the Blue Peter badges from the BBC are very sought after. These are awarded to the public and cannot be bought new. People can only get them by buying them from others. In the United Kingdom, the Badge Collectors' Circle has existed since 1980. This shows how much people value these small objects of history and identity.

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File:A Badge Pinning.jpg
A Badge Pinning.jpg
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