The
fleur-de-lis is the main element in the logo of most Scouting organizations, representing a major theme in Scouting: the outdoors and wilderness. The three petals or leaves represent the threefold Scout Promise (Duty to God and Country, Duty to Self, Duty to Others) in much the same way as the three leaves of the trefoil represent the threefold promise for the Guides. Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, explained
that the Scouts adopted the fleur-de-lis symbol from its use in the
compass rose because it "points in the right direction (and upwards)
turning neither to the right nor left, since these lead backward again."
The two small five-point stars stand for truth and knowledge. Together
their ten points represent the ten original Scout laws. The reef knot or square knot
represents the strength of World Scouting. The rope is for the unity of
Scouts throughout the world. The ring holding the petals together
represents the bond of brotherhood.
The fleur-de-lis is the main element in the logo of most Scouting organizations, representing a major theme in Scouting: the outdoors and wilderness. The three petals or leaves represent the threefold Scout Promise (Duty to God and Country, Duty to Self, Duty to Others) in much the same way as the three leaves of the trefoil represent the threefold promise for the Guides. Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, explained
that the Scouts adopted the fleur-de-lis symbol from its use in the
compass rose because it "points in the right direction (and upwards)
turning neither to the right nor left, since these lead backward again."
The two small five-point stars stand for truth and knowledge. Together
their ten points represent the ten original Scout laws. The reef knot or square knot
represents the strength of World Scouting. The rope is for the unity of
Scouts throughout the world. The ring holding the petals together
represents the bond of brotherhood.