Our Symbols

Over the years, Kappa Alpha Theta has been visually identified by the coat of arms, the pansy, and the colors of black and gold.

  • 1870 Coat of Arms

    1870 Coat of Arms

    Our first coat of arms contained much in the way of symbolism. In this instance, the angel referenced guidance, curtains connoted secrecy, and the torch enlightenment and aspiration. Not everyone liked the design, however, so chapters were encouraged to submit their own and the best features would be incorporated into one for use by all chapters. There are no additional references to the resulting design … maybe there were too many suggestions!

  • 1877 Coat of Arms

    1877 Coat of Arms

    Used by Gamma/Butler and Iota/Cornell
  • 1890 Coat of Arms

    1890 Coat of Arms

    Used by Lambda/Vermont and Tau/Northwestern
  • 1895 Coat of Arms

    1895 Coat of Arms

  • 1897 Coat of Arms

    1897 Coat of Arms

  • 1897 Official Coat of Arms

    1897 Official Coat of Arms

    In 1895, Grand Convention voted to commission a new charter design. It was adopted by the 1897 Grand Convention and included a coat of arms insignia at the top. The change in design spurred Grand Council to recall all existing charters and issue new ones.

  • 1907 Official Coat of Arms

    1907 Official Coat of Arms

    As the Fraternity grew, so did increased efforts to standardize insignia, including the coat of arms. In 1906, Grand Council appointed a committee to review and make recommendations concerning all Fraternity insignia. The committee reported to the 1907 Grand Convention its proposals concerning insignia, including a design for a new official coat of arms to be adopted and used universally by all chapters.

  • Current Coat of Arms

    Current Coat of Arms

  • Our Pansy

    Our Pansy

    “Next in order, Fraternity flower. Carried that the black pansy with gold center be adopted.” Minutes of Grand Convention, Oct. 31, 1889, afternoon session

    With these few words, the Fraternity adopted the pansy as the official flower. There is no record of discussion, nor any information about who suggested the flower, but the black and gold pansy does reflect the colors present in our badge. In the language of flowers, pansies are considered to represent “loving thoughts,” symbolizing the good thoughts we have for one another.

  • Our Pansy

    Our Pansy

    Members have used and continue to use the flower and what it symbolizes in many ways. The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine records pansy parties:

  • Our Pansy

    Our Pansy

    Beta/Indiana: “The hall was decorated with palms, cut flowers, and banners. The programs were kite-shaped with the Theta pin embossed on the cover, and ices were served in the form of black and yellow pansies, even the lamp shades were black and gold. But more Theta-like than all was the cordiality and courtesy of four Freshmen hostesses.” Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine, January 1905

  • Our Pansy

    Our Pansy

    Alpha Beta/Swarthmore: “One of the pleasant social events of the year for us was a fancy luncheon given by Lucy Price, ’96. All fifteen of the active chapter sat down at the table with Mrs. Brice as ‘mother.’ The decorations were all of pansies; pansies and ferns for the centerpiece; pansies at every place and the luncheon cards had pansies painted on them.” Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine, 1906

  • Our Pansy

    Our Pansy

    The pansy image is a favorite of Thetas, as reflected in the pansy items collected or lovingly made that we now have in the archives. Though, some bemoaned the practical side of the pansy. As the 1930 history Sixty Years in Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity notes, “[E]very decoration committee wishes for some more usable flower.”

  • Our Pansy

    Our Pansy

    “Kappa Alpha Theta at last has a fraternity flower. We have long felt a want of this and are glad that we now have such a beautiful one. Every loyal Theta girl will be sure to have a bed of black and gold pansies. Let us always wear them and may our “thoughts” at all times be such that will make us true-hearted women.”

    Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine, January 1890.

  • Black & Gold Ribbons

    Black & Gold

    In 1875, drawing inspiration from the badge’s black and gold hues, Martha Evans Martin, Alpha/DePauw, was asked what Theta’s colors were when Kappa Kappa Gamma showcased their double blue theme during recruitment. Potential new members (PNMs) wore black and gold ribbons, often with quite large bows and streamers.

  • Black & Gold Small

    Black & Gold

    The size of the ribbons slowly shrunk, and ended up being replaced with the familiar black and gold pledge pin, originally designed by members of Iota/Cornell in 1907. It remained a custom for many years to wear small black and gold ribbons behind one’s badge when new chapters were installed.