The Alpha Phi Badge
The official badge of Alpha Phi is an unjeweled monogram of gold showing the symbol of Alpha superimposed upon the symbol of Phi. Inscribed in black on the symbol Phi are the letters a, o, e. The meaning of these letters is reserved for the initiation ceremony. You may also wear a jeweled version of the badge set with white stones. The badge may be worn as a pin, upon a bracelet or mounted as a ring.
Alpha Phi was the first women’s organization to use Greek letters as an emblem. Originally there was no standard badge. Until 1906 when the current badge was adopted, each member went to the jeweler of her choice to have her pin designed. Most chose similar designs using the “lazy Phi,” a Phi symbol turned on its side. You can see many of these unique pins in the Ruth Himmelman Wright Heritage Hall at the Executive Office in Evanston, Illinois.
In 1898 the Fraternity adopted a special badge to honor her newest members. The badge they selected is in the shape of an ivy leaf, set in silver pewter. An ever-growing vine, the ivy symbolizes the growth of the Alpha Phi sisterhood.
The Fraternity Crest is the Alpha Phi coat-of-arms, adopted by Convention delegates in 1922. The shield is bordeaux with a scroll and ivy leaf above it. Inscribed on the scroll is the public motto, Union hand in hand. A bar of silver crosses the shield from left to right; the upper half of the shield contains a Roman lamp in silver and the lower half, Ursa Major. The meaning of the symbols depicted on the crest is a significant part of the ritual witnessed at initiation. The use of the Fraternity crest is reserved for jewelry, sportswear and other Fraternity equipment befitting the dignity and honor of Alpha Phi’s heritage.
Alpha Phi’s original colors were blue and gold. In 1879, noting that a fraternity had colors too similar to hers, Alpha Phi adopted the more distinctive colors of silver and bordeaux. Members wear their colors in the form of a ribbon of silver/gray and bordeaux, under their badge to acknowledge special occasions, the installation of a new chapter, the anniversary of their chapter’s installation or the celebration of Alpha Phi Founders’ Day, October 10.
Fraternity Flowers
The flowers of Alpha Phi are the fragrant lily-of-the-valley and the blue and gold forget-me-not. The ivy leaf is also a symbol, the new member badge taking its form.
The mascot of Alpha Phi, the “Phi Bear,” is named after Ursa Major, the Great Bear, and was adopted in 1974.