Asash is a large and usually colorfulribbon or band of material worn around the human body, either draping from one shoulder to the opposing hip and back up, or else encircling the waist. The sash around the waist may be worn in daily attire, but the sash from shoulder to hip is typically only worn on ceremonial occasions. Ceremonial sashes are also found in a V-shaped format, draping straight from both shoulders down, intersecting and forming an angle over the chest or abdomen.
In the mid-and late-16th century waist and shoulder sashes came up as a mark of (high) military rank or to show personal affection to a political party or nation. During theThirty Years' War the distinctive sash colour of theHouse of Habsburg was red while their French opponents wore white or blue sashes and the Swedish voted for blue sashes.
Beginning from the end of the 17th century, commissioned officers in theBritish Army wore waist sashes of crimson silk. The original officer's sash was six inches wide by eighty-eight inches long with a ten-inch (gold or silver) fringe. It was large enough to form a hammock stretcher to carry a wounded officer. From about 1730 to 1768, the officer's sash was wornbaudericke wise, i.e. from the right shoulder to the left hip, and afterwards around the waist again.[1]
Sergeants were permitted sashes of crimson wool, with a single stripe of facing colour following the clothing regulations of 1727. Whereas it remained vague whether the sash was to be worn over the shoulder or around the waist, it was clarified in 1747 that sergeants had to wear their sashes around the waist. From 1768, the sergeant's waist sash had one (until 1825) resp. three (until 1845) stripes of facing colour; in regiments with red or purple facings the sergeant's sash had white stripes or remained plain crimson.[2][3]
Until 1914 waist-sashes in distinctive national colours were worn as a peace-time mark of rank by officers of the Imperial German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian armies, amongst others.
Thebarrel sash is a type of belt traditionally worn byhussars.
Since then sashes have been part of formal military attire (compare the sword belt known as abaldric, and thecummerbund). Thus several other modern armies retain waist-sashes for wear by officers in ceremonial uniforms. These include the armies of Norway (crimson sashes), Sweden (yellow and blue), Greece (light blue and white), the Netherlands (orange), Portugal (crimson) and Spain (red and gold for generals, light blue for general staff and crimson for infantry officers).[4]
The SpanishRegulares (infantry descended from colonial regiments formerly recruited inSpanish Morocco) retain their historic waist-sashes for all ranks in colours that vary according to the unit.[5]
Sashes are a distinctive feature of some regiments of the modern French Army for parade dress. They are worn around the waist in the old Algerian or Zouave style ("ceinture de laine"). Traditionally these sashes were more than 4 m (13 ft) in length and 40 cm (16 in) in width. In the historicFrench Army of Africa, sashes were worn around the waist in either blue for European or red for indigenous troops.[6]
The modernBritish Army retains a scarlet sash for wear in certain orders of dress by sergeants and above serving ininfantryregiments, over the right shoulder to the left hip. A similar crimson silk net sash is worn around the waist by officers of theFoot Guards in scarlet full dress and officers of line infantry in dark blue "Number 1" dress. Additionally, officers (and warrant officers prior to the amalgamation) of the Royal Regiment of Scotland wear a crimson sash from the left shoulder to the right hip. These same practices are followed in someCommonwealth armies.
The present-day armies ofIndia andPakistan both make extensive use of waist-sashes for ceremonial wear. The colours vary widely according to regiment or branch and match those of the turbans where worn. Typically two or more colours are incorporated in the sash, in vertical stripes. One end hangs loose at the side and may have an ornamental fringe. The practice of wearing distinctive regimental sashes or cummerbunds goes back to the late nineteenth century.[7]
Cross-belts resembling sashes are worn by drum majors in the Dutch, British and someCommonwealth armies. These carry scrolls bearing the names of battle honours.
In the United States,George Washington, who served ascommander-in-chief of theContinental Army during theAmerican Revolutionary War and later served as the firstPresident of the United States, was noted for wearing a blue ribbed sash, similar to that of the BritishOrder of the Garter, early in the war, as he had in 1775 prescribed the use of green, pink, and blue sashes to identify aides de camp, brigade-majors, brigadiers general, majors general, and the commander in chief in the absence of formal uniforms. He later gave up the sash as "unrepublican" and "pretentious for all but the highest-ranking aristocracy", according to historians. Washington is seen wearing the sash inCharles Wilson Peale's 1779 paintingWashington at Princeton.[8][9]
Sashes continued to be used in theUnited States Army for sergeants and officers. In 1821, the red sashes (crimson for officers) were limited tofirst sergeants and above. In 1872, the sashes were abolished by all ranks, but generals continued to wear their buff silk sashes in full dress until 1917. Waist sashes (in combination with a sabre) in the old style are still worn by the officers and senior NCOs of theCommander-in-Chief's Guard of the3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) as well by the West Point Band drum major along with the West Point cadet officers.[10][11] The drum major of theOld Guard Fife and Drum Corps also still wears a waist sash, but no sidearms.
At the time of theAmerican Civil War (1861–65), generals of the regular US Army wore silk sashes in buff. Officers were authorized silk sashes in crimson (medical officers:emerald) while red woollen sashes were entitled to senior non-commissioned officers (Army Regulations of 1861). In theConfederate Army, sashes were worn by all sergeant ranks and officers. The colour indicated the corps or status of the wearer. For example: yellow for cavalry, burgundy for infantry, black for chaplains, red for sergeants, green or blue for medics, and grey or cream for general officers.
Since 1948, Burmese presidents have worn the traditional Burmese sash worn by ancient Burmese kings, which resembles a Western-style sash, at state ceremonies.What makes Myanmar sash different from Western countries is that the sash is made of gold, and is called the golden sash.
Japanese officers continued the practice in full dress uniform until 1940.[12]
Apresidential sash is a cloth sash worn bypresidents of many nations in the world. Such sashes are worn by presidents in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
The sash is an important symbol of the continuity of the presidency and is only worn by the president. Its value as a symbol of the office of the head of state can be compared to that of acrown in monarchies. Presidents leaving office formally present the sash to their successor during the officialinauguration ceremony.
Presidential sashes are usually very colorful, large, and designed to resemble the nation's flag, especially those of Latin American presidents. They are usually worn over the right shoulder to the left side of the hip. The nationalcoat of arms is also traditionally placed on the sash. Anational order's star or chain of office can also be worn.
With the genesis of complex systems of military and civilian awards during the 18th century in most European countries, sashes became a distinguishing part ofhonorific orders and are mostly worn along with decorations and medals. Today, various members of most Europeanroyal families wear sashes (also known as ribands) as part of their royal (and/or military)regalia on formal occasions. Somemerit orders (such as the FrenchLegion of Honour) also include sashes as part of the senior-most grades' insignia. Likewise, Italian military officers wear light blue sashes over the right shoulder on ceremonial occasions.
InLatin America and some countries ofAfrica, a specialpresidential sash indicates apresident's authority. InFrance andItaly, sashes – featuring the national flagtricolours and worn on the right shoulder – are used by public authorities and local officials (such as legislators) during public ceremonial events.
In theUnited States, the sash has acquired a more ceremonial and less practical purpose. Sashes are used at higher educationcommencement ceremonies, byhigh school homecoming parade nominees, inbeauty pageants, and by corporations to acknowledge high achievement.
InCanada, hand-woven sashes (known asceintures fléchées or sometimes "L'Assomption sashes" after aQuebec town namedL'Assomption in which they were mass-produced) were derived fromIroquois carrying belts sometime during the 18th century. As a powerful multi-use tool, this sash found use in thefur trade, which brought it into the North West using Frenchvoyageurs. During this period, the weave got tighter and size expanded, with some examples more than four metres in length. Coloured thread was widely used. The sash is a shared cultural emblem between French-Canadians andMétis peoples. Today, it is considered to be primarily a symbol of the 1837Lower Canada RebellionPatriotes and the Métis Nation. In modern times,Bonhomme Carnaval, the snowman mascot of theQuebec Winter Carnival, wears aceinture fléchée as part of his attire in recognition of the province's heritage.
In theBritish Isles, especiallyNorthern Ireland, the sash is a symbol of theOrange Order. Orange Order sashes were originally of the ceremonial shoulder-to-hip variety, as worn by the British military. Over the course of the 20th century, the sash was mostly replaced by V-shaped collarettes, which are still generally referred to as sashes. The item is celebrated in the song "The Sash my Father Wore".
Sashes are also worn by:
Sashes are part of thediplomatic uniform of many countries.
Many modern schools of Chinese martial arts use sashes of various colors to denote rank, as a reflection of the Japanese ranking system using belts. The Japanese equivalent of a sash,obi, serves to hold akimono oryukata together.
Sashes are indicative of holding the class ofGrand Cross or Grand Cordon in achivalric order or anorder of merit. The sash is usually worn from the right shoulder to the left hip. A few orders do the contrary, according to their traditional statute.
 |
Europe:
Denmark:Order of the Elephant
Iceland:Order of the Falcon
Kingdom of Serbia:Order of the White Eagle
United Kingdom:Order of the GarterUnited Kingdom (Scotland):Order of the ThistleAsia:
Myanmar:Order of Thiri Thudhamma
South Korea:Grand Order of Mugunghwa
Thailand:Order of the Royal House of Chakri[13]Thailand:Order of Chula Chom Klao[14]Thailand: Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) on left shoulderbut Knight Grand Cross (First Class): right shoulder, for: Sultanate ofBrunei | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decorations | Post-nominal | Grade | Ribbon | Sources |
| TheRoyal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei Darjah Kerabat Mahkota Brunei | DKMB | Recipient |  | [17] |
| The Most EsteemedFamily Order of Laila Utama Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama Yang Amat Dihormati | DK I | Recipient |  | [17] |
| The Most EsteemedFamily Order of Seri Utama Darjah Kerabat Seri Utama Yang Amat Dihormati | DK II | Recipient |  | [17] |
| The Most EminentOrder of Islam Brunei Darjah Seri Ugama Islam Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar | PSSUB | First Class |  | [17] |
| The Most IllustriousOrder of Paduka Laila Jasa Keberanian Gemilang Darjah Paduka Laila Jasa Keberanian Gemilang Yang Amat Cemerlang | DPKG | First Class |  | [18] |
| The Most ExaltedOrder of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang Darjah Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang Yang Amat Gemilang | DKLT | First Class |  | [17] |
| The Most GallantOrder of Pahlawan Negara Brunei Darjah Pahlawan Negara Brunei Yang Amat Perkasa | PSPNB | First Class |  | [19] |
| The Most BlessedOrder of Setia Negara Brunei Darjah Setia Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bahagia | PSNB | First Class |  | [20] |
| The Most DistinguishedOrder of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Darjah Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Yang Amat Berjasa | PSLJ | First Class |  | [21] |
| The Most HonourableOrder of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia | SPMB | First Class |  | [22] |
| The Most Faithful OrderOrder of Perwira Agong Negara Brunei Darjah Perwira Agong Negara Brunei Yang Amat Setia | PANB | Recipient |  | [22] |
| PaNB | Recipient |  | [22] | |
 Federation ofMalaysia | ||||
| Decorations | Post-nominal | Grade | Ribbon | Sources |
| The Most Exalted and Most IllustriousRoyal Family Order of Malaysia Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia | DKM | Recipient |  | [23] |
| The Most ExaltedOrder of the Crown of the Realm Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara | DMN | Recipient | _-_DMN.svg) | [23] |
 Sultanate ofKedah | ||||
| The Most IllustriousRoyal Family Order of Kedah Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Mulia Kedah | DK | Member | .svg) | [citation needed] |
 Sultanate ofKelantan | ||||
| The Most EsteemedRoyal Family Order of Kelantan (Al-Yunusi Star) Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat di-Hormati (Bintang al-Yunusi) | DK | Recipient |  | [citation needed] |
 Sultanate ofNegeri Sembilan | ||||
| The Most IllustriousRoyal Family Order of Negeri Sembilan Darjah Kerabat Negeri Sembilan Yang Amat di-Mulia | DKNS | Member |  | [citation needed] |
| TheOrder of Negeri Sembilan -Darjah Negeri Sembilan | ||||
| Darjah Tertinggi Negeri Sembilan | DTNS | Paramount |  | [citation needed] |
| Darjah Mulia Negeri Sembilan | DMNS | Illustrious |  | |
 Sultanate ofPahang | ||||
| The Most IllustriousRoyal Family Order of Pahang Darjah Kerabat Yang Maha Mulia Utama Kerabat di-Raja Pahang | DKP | Member (Ahli) |  | [citation needed] |
| The Most EsteemedFamily Order of the Crown of Indra of Pahang Darjah Kerabat Sri Indra Mahkota Pahang Yang Amat di-Hormati | DK I | Member 1st class |  | |
 Sultanate ofPerak | ||||
| The Most EsteemedRoyal Family Order of Perak Darjah Kerabat di-Raja Yang Amat di-Hormati | DK | Member (Ahli) | .svg) (before 2001)  (after 2001) | [citation needed] |
| The Most EsteemedPerak Family Order of Sultan Azlan Shah Darjah Kerabat Sultan Azlan Shah Perak Yang Amat di-Hormati | DKSA | Superior class |  | [citation needed] |
| The Most Esteemed Azlanii Royal Family Order Darjah Yang Teramat Mulia Darjah Kerabat Azlanii | DKA I | Member First Class |  | [citation needed] |
 Sultanate ofPerlis | ||||
| The Most EsteemedRoyal Family Order of Perlis Darjah Kerabat di-Raja Perlis Yang Amat Amat di-Hormati | DKP | Recipient |  | [citation needed] |
| The M. Est.Perlis Family Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail Darjah Kerabat Perlis Baginda Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail Yang Amat Amat di-Hormati | DK | Recipient |  | [citation needed] |
 Sultanate ofSelangor | ||||
| The Most EsteemedRoyal Family Order of Selangor -Darjah Kerabat Selangor Yang Amat di-Hormati | ||||
| Darjah Kerabat Selangor Pertama | DK I | First Class |  | [citation needed] |
| Darjah Kerabat Selangor Kedua | DK II | Second Class |  | [24] |
 Sultanate ofTerengganu | ||||
| The Most ExaltedSupreme Royal Family Order of Terengganu (10/03/1981) Darjah Utama Kerabat di-Raja Terengganu Yang Amat di-Hormati | DKT | Member (Ahli) |  | [citation needed] |
| The Most DistinguishedFamily Order of Terengganu (19/06/1962) Darjah Kebesaran Kerabat Terengganu Yang Amat Mulia | DK I | Member 1st class Ahli Yang Pertama |  | [citation needed] |
| Colours classified in the order of the rainbow : | White | Red | Orange | Yellow | Green | Blue | Indigo | Violet | Black |
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