subject: Things To Know Aboutthe Military Sas [print this page] A sash is a girdle or band worn about the waist, over the shoulder as an ornament and also as a badge of distinction by military officers, members of societies, etc. The word "Sash" comes from the Arabic language and it was included into the English language in the year of 1590.
Conventionally, the official military uniform has in its constituent parts a sash. Notably, many of the European Royal families wear sashes to be distinguished as upper class. In countries like the ones from Africa as well as in the Latin America, the president wears a presidential sash in recognition of its authority.
Likewise, In France and Italy public authorities and local representatives have the custom of wearing on the right shoulder, a sash in the colors of the flag. In the same manner, Italian military officers put on light blue sashes. In France, the Foreign Legion or the Spahis have in common the trait of wearing a dark blue or red sash around the waist over the parade attire.
Silk sashes in crimson (for officers) and red woolen sashes (for non-commissioned officers) were authorized to be worn during the American Civil War. These days, the sash has a more official and sometimes unofficial employment in comparison with its previous practical usage. Thus, different educational ceremonies, beauty pageants as well as themed parties make use of it, acquiring it from specific shops.
A scarlet sash worn over the right shoulder to the left hip is used in certain orders of dress by sergeants and above serving in infantry troops.
In India and Pakistan, modern armies make great use of waist sashes for ceremonial wear. Generally, the colors of the sashes are different from division to division and they go with those of the turbans, if worn. Normally, more than two colors are included in the sash.
Moreover, armies pertaining to countries such as Norway, Sweden, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal or Spain have preserved the custom of wearing sashes (in different colors for every country) in official events. In the Northern Ireland, the Orange Order is characterized by a ceremonial shoulder-to-hip sash, as worn by the British Army.
