Editing Scouting (section)

===Uniforms and distinctive insignia===
{{anchor|Uniform|Uniforms|Insignia}}
{{Self-reference|Individual national or other emblems may be found at the individual country's Scout article.}}

[[File:Ideal Scout.png|thumb|upright=0.75|The [[R. Tait McKenzie]] sculpture ''Ideal Scout'' depicts a Scout in traditional uniform]]
The Scout uniform is a widely recognized characteristic. Baden-Powell said the uniform "hides all differences of social standing in a country and makes for equality; but, more important still, it covers differences of country and race and creed, and makes all feel that they are members with one another of the one great brotherhood".<ref name="uniform">{{cite web |last=Wade |first=E.K. |year=1957 |url=http://pinetreeweb.com/wade12.htm |title=27 Years With Baden-Powell |work=Why the Uniform?, ch 12 |publisher=Pinetree.web |access-date=July 24, 2006}}</ref> The original uniform, still widely recognized, consisted of a [[khaki]] button-up shirt, shorts, and a broad-brimmed [[campaign hat]]. Baden-Powell also wore shorts, because he believed that being dressed like a Scout helped to reduce the age-imposed distance between adult and youth. Uniform shirts are now frequently blue, orange, red or green and shorts are frequently replaced by long trousers all year or only under cold weather.

While designed for smartness and equality, the Scout uniform is also practical. Shirts traditionally have thick seams to make them ideal for use in makeshift stretchers—Scouts were trained to use them in this way with their staves, a traditional but deprecated item. The leather straps and toggles of the [[campaign hat]]s or Leaders' [[Wood Badge]]s could be used as emergency [[tourniquets]], or anywhere that string was needed in a hurry. [[Neckerchief]]s were chosen as they could easily be used as a sling or triangular bandage by a Scout in need. Scouts were encouraged to use their [[garters]] for [[shock cord]] where necessary.<ref name="uniform"/>

Distinctive insignia for all are Scout uniforms, recognized and worn the world over, include the Wood Badge and the World Membership Badge. Scouts use a [[Fleur-de-lis in Scouting|fleur-de-lis]] emblem while members of the [[World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts]] (WAGGGS) use a [[trefoil]].<ref name="fleurwosm">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org/en/about_scouting/facts_figures/baden_powell/b_p_gallery/scout_emblem |title=World Scout Emblem |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=January 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207120057/http://scout.org/en/about_scouting/facts_figures/baden_powell/b_p_gallery/scout_emblem |archive-date=February 7, 2009  }}</ref><ref name="worldtrefoil">{{cite web |url=http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/resources/photos/54 |title=The World Trefoil |publisher=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts |access-date=December 7, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061231034510/http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/resources/photos/54 |archive-date = December 31, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[fylfot]] (now more commonly called a [[swastika]]) was used by the [[The Scout Association|Boy Scouts Association]] of the United Kingdom and others in early thanks badges from 1911.<ref name="swastika">{{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/badges.htm |work=Scouting milestones |title=The Fleur-de-lis and the Swastika|publisher=btinternet.co.uk |access-date=January 10, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614021806/http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/badges.htm|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref> Lord Baden-Powell's 1922 design for the Medal of Merit added a swastika to the Scout Arrowhead to symbolize good luck for the recipient. In 1934, Scouters requested a change to the design because of the connection of the swastika with its more recent use by the [[Nazi Party|German National Socialist Workers (Nazi) Party]]. A new Medal of Merit was issued by the Boy Scouts Association in 1935.<ref name="swastika"/>