Why do sailors have ribbons on their hats

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

The well-known headdress of sailors, the peakless cap, has one distinguishing feature - two ribbons fluttering in the wind. A familiar detail that was not always there. The history of its origin is ambiguous, but this does not make it less interesting and entertaining.

1. History of appearance - legends and reality

Nowadays, regardless of which country the fleet belongs to, the ribbons on the caps of sailors are mandatory.

Initially, this was at the level of a custom that appeared among fishermen in the Mediterranean. They were given ribbons by their relatives and wives, who personally embroidered on them the words of prayers, wishes, and love. At that time, it was believed that ribbons were a kind of talisman that brought good luck, a talisman that would protect from all troubles and misfortunes and allow a person to return home with the catch. Often, one of the personal qualities of its owner was even painted on the ribbons. They were used to tie up hair.

When the first uniform, mandatory for wearing according to the charter, was introduced, the presence of ribbons was not officially regulated anywhere in the navy. Nevertheless, there is a legend according to which the sailors of the English fleet during the assault on the fortress of Curacao (it then belonged to the Dutch) tied ribbons with the inscription made in gold letters - "undaunted."

The assault was not successful, but the custom survived and soon spread to the entire fleet, not only of Great Britain, but also of other states.

There is another version of the appearance of this characteristic detail on peakless caps. According to her, they were first attached to a headdress at the beginning of the nineteenth century as a tribute to the memory of Admiral Nelson, who died during the Battle of Trafalgar, and were a sign of mourning.

It is in this connection that they are traditionally black, or rather, they had. Over time, other options have appeared.

Russian sailors began to wear ribbons after 1857. They were approved by the Charter almost twenty years later - in 1874. They had to indicate the crew number or the name of the ship. The length of such tapes was also strictly defined by the Charter - 140 centimeters. By the way, in Russia not only sailors wore hats with ribbons, but also infantrymen.

2. Tapes in post-revolutionary times

During this period, not only the shape of the peakless cap itself was changed, but also the appearance of the ribbons. They now indicated not the name of the vessel, but the fleet, which is characteristic of our time. The color has also changed. In addition to black, black and orange appeared.

In general, thanks to the names, at one time it was possible to determine the ownership of the cap owner to the fleet or the crew of a particular ship.

3. Practical value

In the modern world, according to experienced sailors, in the navy, peakless caps with ribbons are used exclusively at parades and ceremonial buildings. They are not worn every day. For this, there are caps - a more practical and comfortable headdress.

But even during parades there are not very favorable conditions, for example, strong winds. To prevent the peakless cap from being blown off the head, it is held by the ribbons by the teeth.