Three-finger salute (Scouts)
Encyclopedia
The three-finger salute is used by members of Scout and Guide
organizations around the world when greeting other Scouts and in respect of a national flag at ceremonies. In most situations, the salute is made with the palm face out, the thumb holding down the little finger, and with the fingertips on the brow of the head. There are some variations of the salute between national Scouting organisations and also within some programme sections.
A "half-salute", known as the Scout Sign, is also used in certain situations. The hand is still held palm facing out, and the thumb holding the little finger, but the hand is held at the shoulder instead. Other organizations with historical ties to Scouting such a Scouts Royale Brotherhood do as well.
chose the three-finger salute for Scouts to represent the three aspects of the Scout Promise
:
sections can use a two-finger salute, depending on the national Scouting organization they belong to. This is done to represent the two rules of the original Cub Scout / Wolf Cub law. It was also sometimes said to represent the two ears of a wolf (cub). The salute is done with the right hand.
Full-salutes were also required at the hoisting of the Union Flag
, the playing of the national anthem, or at funerals.
the Salute is rendered vertically, palm out similar to British Army/Commonwealth salutes, except if the member is a Sea Scout where it is palm in/angled down. (Traditionally, to hide your 'dirty hands' from the ship's captain).
uses the three-fingered salute for all sections, including Cub Scouts. The Scout Sign is used while reciting the Scout Promise
when joining the group. The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association uses both the three and two fingered salutes.
the wolf. Boy Scouts use the three finger sign and salute. Venturers use a full hand sign and salute; the sign is formed with the fingers together and the thumb spread to form a "V".
When forming the Scout Sign, Boy Scouts hold the sign with their right hand, the elbow forming a 90-degree, or "right" angle. This symbolizes that a Scout should always do the "right" thing. The three fingers symbolizing the three points of the Scout Oath
The Sign is also used in Boy Scouts of America programs when one needs the attention of the group. All one must do is hold the sign up high, and all those around that notice will do so as well, and will remain quiet. Even at the National Jamboree Arena Show, with over 100,000 Scouts and Scouters in attendance, all one must do on stage to get the crowd silent is hold up the Sign.
Scouts use the Salute only when in uniform only to the flag of the United States
. Early BSA protocol did require Scouts to salute each other, but this was made optional in 1972.
use the three-fingered sign at shoulder height. The three fingers represent the person's own spiritual beliefs, other people and the Girl Scout Law. This differs from the 1913 version where the first finger represented God and Country.
members share the three fingered sign, with the palm facing out held at shoulder height, elbow by the side and the thumb holding the little finger. This is used in numerous situations of respect including when making or reciting the Promise
, receiving awards, honouring a flag, honouring the dead and meeting other Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. In the latter case, it may be used in conjunction with the left handshake
.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
organizations around the world when greeting other Scouts and in respect of a national flag at ceremonies. In most situations, the salute is made with the palm face out, the thumb holding down the little finger, and with the fingertips on the brow of the head. There are some variations of the salute between national Scouting organisations and also within some programme sections.
A "half-salute", known as the Scout Sign, is also used in certain situations. The hand is still held palm facing out, and the thumb holding the little finger, but the hand is held at the shoulder instead. Other organizations with historical ties to Scouting such a Scouts Royale Brotherhood do as well.
Meaning of the three fingers
In his book, Scouting for Boys, Robert Baden-PowellRobert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
chose the three-finger salute for Scouts to represent the three aspects of the Scout Promise
Scout Promise
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law. The wording of the Scout Promise and Scout Law have varied slightly over time and from country to...
:
- 1. Honour God and the King
- 2. Help Others
- 3. Obey the Scout LawScout LawSince the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law...
Cub Scouts' two-finger salute
Cub ScoutCub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
sections can use a two-finger salute, depending on the national Scouting organization they belong to. This is done to represent the two rules of the original Cub Scout / Wolf Cub law. It was also sometimes said to represent the two ears of a wolf (cub). The salute is done with the right hand.
Salute or sign?
Originally, Baden-Powell intended for Scouts to salute each other in greeting when they first saw each other for the first time using the "secret sign", or half-salute. This was regardless of whether the Scouts knew each other or not. Officers, such as Patrol Leaders, Scoutmasters, or members of the armed forces, were to be saluted with a full-salute.Full-salutes were also required at the hoisting of the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
, the playing of the national anthem, or at funerals.
Canada
In Scouts CanadaScouts Canada
Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association that, in affiliation with the French-language Association des Scouts du Canada, is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement...
the Salute is rendered vertically, palm out similar to British Army/Commonwealth salutes, except if the member is a Sea Scout where it is palm in/angled down. (Traditionally, to hide your 'dirty hands' from the ship's captain).
United Kingdom
The Scout AssociationThe Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
uses the three-fingered salute for all sections, including Cub Scouts. The Scout Sign is used while reciting the Scout Promise
Scout Promise
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law. The wording of the Scout Promise and Scout Law have varied slightly over time and from country to...
when joining the group. The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association uses both the three and two fingered salutes.
Switzerland
The half-salute is used by Swiss Scouts when shaking (left) hands with other Scouts or leaders on greeting or parting.Boy Scouts of America
Salutes are rendered in the American style with the palm in. Cub Scouts use the two finger Scout sign and salute; the sign is presented with the fingers apart to represent the ears of AkelaAkela (Scouting)
The Scouting program has used themes from The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling since 1916.In 1914 Baden Powell announced a Junior Section for Scouting. In 1916, he published his own outlines for such a scheme, it was to be called Wolf Cubbing. It has been speculated that Baden-Powell may have had a...
the wolf. Boy Scouts use the three finger sign and salute. Venturers use a full hand sign and salute; the sign is formed with the fingers together and the thumb spread to form a "V".
When forming the Scout Sign, Boy Scouts hold the sign with their right hand, the elbow forming a 90-degree, or "right" angle. This symbolizes that a Scout should always do the "right" thing. The three fingers symbolizing the three points of the Scout Oath
The Sign is also used in Boy Scouts of America programs when one needs the attention of the group. All one must do is hold the sign up high, and all those around that notice will do so as well, and will remain quiet. Even at the National Jamboree Arena Show, with over 100,000 Scouts and Scouters in attendance, all one must do on stage to get the crowd silent is hold up the Sign.
Scouts use the Salute only when in uniform only to the flag of the United States
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
. Early BSA protocol did require Scouts to salute each other, but this was made optional in 1972.
Girl Scouts of the USA
As a member of WAGGGS, the Girl Scouts of the USAGirl Scouts of the USA
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
use the three-fingered sign at shoulder height. The three fingers represent the person's own spiritual beliefs, other people and the Girl Scout Law. This differs from the 1913 version where the first finger represented God and Country.
Worldwide
All World Association of Girl Guides and Girl ScoutsWorld Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...
members share the three fingered sign, with the palm facing out held at shoulder height, elbow by the side and the thumb holding the little finger. This is used in numerous situations of respect including when making or reciting the Promise
Scout Promise
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law. The wording of the Scout Promise and Scout Law have varied slightly over time and from country to...
, receiving awards, honouring a flag, honouring the dead and meeting other Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. In the latter case, it may be used in conjunction with the left handshake
Scout handshake
The left-handed Scout handshake is a formal way of greeting other Scouts of both genders used by members of Scout and Guide organizations around the world when greeting other Scouts. The handshake is made with the hand nearest the heart and is offered as a token of friendship...
.