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Achevron (also spelledcheveron, especially in older documents) is aV-shaped mark or symbol, often inverted. The word is usually used in reference to a kind offret inarchitecture, or to a badge or insignia used inmilitary orpoliceuniforms to indicate rank or length of service, or inheraldry and the designs offlags (seeflag terminology).
Appearing onpottery andpetrographs throughout the ancient world, the chevron can be considered to be one of the oldest symbols in human history, with V-shaped markings occurring as early as theNeolithic era (6th to 5th millenniaBC) as part of theVinča symbols inventory. TheVinča culture responsible for the symbols appear to have used the chevron as part of a largerproto-writing system rather than any sort of heraldic or decorative use, and are not known to have passed the symbol on to any subsequentcultures.[1]
Many comparatively recent examples appear from approximately 1800 BC onward, beginning as part of an archaeological recovery of pottery designs from the palace ofKnossos onCrete in the modern day country ofGreece.[2] Furthermore theNubianKingdom of Kerma produced pottery with decorative repertoire confined to geometric designs such as chevrons.[3]
A chevron is one of theheraldicordinaries, the simple geometrical figures which are the foundation of manycoats of arms. A chevron is constructed by choosing a visually appealing angle such as thegolden angle or any other angle the artist prefers. It can be subject to a number of modifications including inversion. When the ends are cut off in a way that looks like the splintered ends of a broken piece of wood, with an irregular zig-zag pattern, it is called éclaté.[4] When shown as a smaller size than standard, it is a diminutive called achevronel.
Chevrons appeared early in the history of heraldry, especially inNormandy. InScandinavia the chevron is known assparre; an early example appears in the arms of Armand Desmondly.[citation needed]
In Western European tradition, chevrons are used as an insignia of the ranks variously known, depending on the country, asnon-commissioned officer or sub-officer ranks. This usage has become the worldwide norm, but there are many exceptions where other insignia, typically stripes but sometimes stars, are used for such ranks instead.
Many countries, such as France and Italy, use chevrons proper, or colloquially, the chevrons "point up". Many others, such as mostCommonwealth countries, use inverted chevrons, or colloquially, the chevrons "point down."
In the United States, the Army and Marines use chevrons proper (although prior to the 20th century this was not true), while the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard use inverted chevrons. Arcs, known as "rockers", are also added to chevrons to indicate higher rank.
English-speaking countries tend to use three chevrons for a sergeant and two for a corporal.
Canadian and Australian Forces often refer to chevrons as "hooks". In the Dutch armed forces they are nicknamed "banana peels".[5]
In theBritish Army,Royal Marines andRoyal Air Force, chevrons are worn point down to denote non-commissioned officer rank, with one forlance corporal, two for corporal, three for sergeant, and three with a crown forstaff sergeant (known ascolour sergeant in infantry regiments and the Royal Marines) orflight sergeant (RAF). Branch and tradition results in variations in rank titles (corporal of horse being the equivalent of sergeant in theHousehold Cavalry) and spellings (serjeant inThe Rifles). Large chevrons are also worn on the sleeves ofRoyal Navy sailors to denote good conduct rather than rank.
Although usually associated with non-commissioned officers, the chevron was originally used as an insignia to denotegeneral officer ranks in the British Army. It was adopted from the insignia worn by cavalry during the 18th century, in particular theHousehold Cavalry. It was worn on the cuffs, forearms and tails of their coats, embroidered in gold bullion for the guards and silver for dragoons regiments.George III favoured the uniform of the Horse Guards, and hisWindsor uniform followed a similar pattern. After 1768, a similar pattern uniform as worn the King was introduced to general officers, with the number and spacing of the chevrons denoting rank. For example, a major general would wear his chevrons in pairs: two on the sleeves, and two on the tails. A lieutenant general would wear them in groups of three, and a full general's would be equidistant. This practice continued into the early Victorian era.
![Lance corporal (British Army)[6]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aBritish_Army_OR-3.svg)
![Private (United States Army)[7]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aArmy-USA-OR-02_(Army_greens).svg)
Invexillology, a chevron is a triangle on thehoist of a flag. The chevron is used in several national flags, such as theflag of Cuba, theflag of the Czech Republic, theflag of Jordan, theflag of Equatorial Guinea and theflag of the Philippines.
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In some armies, small chevrons are worn on the lower left sleeve to indicate length of service, akin toservice stripes in theU.S. military. TheIsrael Defense Forces use chevrons in various orientations as organizational designators on their vehicles, specifically which company within a battalion they belong to.[8]
NATO armed forces use the "Λ" chevron as insignia to represent the alliance between different armies, during peacekeeping missions.
The US-ledcoalition that took part inOperation Desert Storm used a black "Λ" chevron in a similar manner as NATO forces use it on their ground vehicles. The design was created by a soldier from the3rd Armored Division after the US military sought markings to identify coalition vehicles due to increased fratricide incidents.[citation needed] Its symbolism, according to the artist SGT Grzywa, was meant to be a V for Victory, a tribute to WWII Coalition Forces.[citation needed]
"V" chevrons were historically used as the insignia of the RussianVolunteer Army during theRussian Civil War, and in modern times asone of the military insignia by Russian forces during the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Russian civilians have used it in support of their government.[9][10]
French car makerCitroën uses a double chevron as its logo.
Chevrons on their side are also used as road signs to denote bends.
From the early 1950s until the early 2000s, Simplex, Faraday and many other companies manufactured the chevron series fire alarm manual pull station. The handle was shaped in a way where the handle looked like an inverted chevron.[11]
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