Form 25: Unique in the Fraternity World?
by Jono Hren • October 2007 • 10 Comments •
Members of Lambda Chi Alpha quite possibly take this 8 1/2-by-11, color rendition of our coat of arms on heavy card stock for granted, ordering quantities from Headquarters at will, while not fully realizing just how special it really is.
Do other fraternities have something similar? A student of fraternities, attempting to collect an example from each organization, would not get very far. If Lambda Chi Alpha is unique in having such an item then, why do we have one while others do not?
Finding Answers
The answers to these questions take us back to October 4, 1913, when the improved coat of arms was officially copyrighted. John E. Mason (Pennsylvania 1913) originally described a shield of green and purple on his first design, engraved by C. H. Elliott, but changed the colors on the improved version, engraved by E. A. Wright, to the present ones. Even though early yearbook engravings were in black and white, colors were represented by a variety of shadings.
Warren Cole’s (Boston 1912) ritual did not include any description or explanation of a coat of arms during the ceremony. The 1913 ritual did. Certain conclusions can be drawn from administrative manuals originating as far back as 1918. Particularly noteworthy are the numbering of forms and the recommended quantity of each that constituted a chapter’s normal supply.
Although most pertained to the High Gamma (chapter secretary), the High Phi (chapter ritualist) was to be concerned with Form 24, Chart A Outer Circle, Mystic Delta and Delta Pi (50), and Form 25, Chart B Coat of Arms (10). Referring to both forms, the 1929 Expositor noted they are to be “used for ritualistic purposes only as directed in the third degree of the undergraduate Ritual.”
The fact that only one-fifth as many Forms 25 as Forms 24 were needed attests to its strictly ritualistic application at that time. Indeed, by comparison, a chapter was urged to have on hand twice as many Reports of Death. Clearly, Form 25 was originally intended as ritual equipment.
Increased Demand
With increasingly larger groups of initiates came larger hand-painted versions for better visibility, but Form 25 did not entirely leave the chamber. For many chapters, it has become a custom for each brother –- or in some cases just the ritual team -– to sign a Form 25 for each man being initiated.
Many years following initiation, alumni still proudly display those signatures alongside their membership certificates. Special commemorative editions are also regularly printed by Headquarters for Ritual Exemplification during General Assemblies and Leadership Seminars. They are then signed by the International Ritual Team in what has become a mini-ritual in itself.
Over the years, at least four versions have been designed. The earliest depicted a helmet similar to the one in E.A. Wright’s 1913 engraving, but showed a different badge –- one with only nine pearls in the Lambda. A thick gold line separated the quadrants and surrounded the shield, and opposing tips of the mantling were lined with green.
The helmet on the next, and all versions to date, was of a much simpler design. The gold borders disappeared, but the badge still had only nine pearls.
Following the merger with Theta Kappa Nu in 1939, a third version, remarkable for its pink collar and pea greens, became the standard for close to 50 years. It did, however, finally have a badge with 11 pearls in the Lambda. The lower banner was supplanted with the Latin motto, Vir Quisque Vir, and an inescutcheon portraying a lion rampant, holding a white rose, was added to the shield.
Since the early 1990s, a fourth design has been making the rounds, bringing back royal purple and rich greens. In an incongruity, the banners are less graceful, with sharply cut edges, while the letters XOAZ appear almost handwritten. The pearls lack shading and therefore don’t exhibit a three dimensional appearance.
End of an Era
In a final farewell to its original significance, the designation “Form 25” has disappeared from the lower left corner.
In the past, some brothers trimmed the chart to fit a standard 8-by-10 picture frame, but with the popularity of computer printers, the availability and choices of document size frames have increased dramatically.
Whether gazed upon for the first time by a potential new member, or every day for many years by initiates, the beautiful Form 25 keeps the vital elements of our Fraternity constantly before our eyes.
Roger Grice Says:
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:33 pmJono,
Thanks, once again, for an interesting and informative lesson about our history and evolution.
Keep ‘em coming!
ZAX,
Roger
Dale Says:
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:55 pmIs LXA so naive as to think no other fraternity has a coat of arms? It would probably be UNIQUE if LXA didn’t have a coat of arms.
Perhaps whoever wrote this article could walk around the neighborhood in Indy and visit (and observe) some fraternity coats of arms.
Tom Earp Says:
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:22 pmIn response to Dale, I am sure that this is not what the writer intended. I am also sure that he is well aware of other Fraternities do have Crests as some call them and not Coat of Arms.
But, the meat of the article is the evolution of “Form 25″ and the differences over the years.
I myself have several:
1. From 1966 when we were colonized. One of the signees was George Spaysk.
2. From 2001 when I was inducted as an Alumni initiate, the first ever in our Zeta. I was the tryout person.
3. A larger one that was signed by the University of Florida Zeta which hangs in the Chapter house thanks to Brother Matt Troy.
What is noticeable as was pointed out in this article by Brother Hren of the change in colors.
He and I have discussed this on several occasions as I ran back and forth to check out what we were talking about.
I also find it interesting in doing some research how much more intricate the LXA Coat of Arms is compared to all others.
I know, my name is on many Brothers Coat of Arms and hope they remember with the same fondness as I do. Brother Jono, another job well done.
Thank you once again!
In ZAX,
Tom Earp
LX Z 1
Pittsburg State University, Kansas.
Bill Deeks Says:
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:32 pmJono, thanks for the interesting take on our coat of arms. You are right on.
My signed initiation coat of arms is mounted right next to my initiation certificate on the wall of my residential office. However, I did use a large enough picture frame that the Form 25 designation can be seen in the lower left corner. A member of my initiation class was a calligrapher and, for each of us, he printed our name on our Form 25 before we all went out to get signatures of the local alumni and to invite them to attend our Initiation ceremonies.
I just assumed that all fraternities involved their coats of arms in much the same way as Lambda Chi.
In ZAX
Bill Deeks
AL 789
Oregon State University
Barry R. Flynn Says:
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:48 pmI don’t recall ever getting a Form 25, when I was initiated, in 1956. (Zeta Psi 145) What I really miss is my pin, which I lost at work, in 1958. Apparently, my father did the same, Patrick J. Flynn(Chi 176)because it was not in his posession at the time of his death, in 1949. It would really be something, if I had them both.
david m sharpe Says:
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:08 pmIn response to Dale’s comments,Jono was refering to the Form 25,and not the coat of arms,perse.All fraternities and sororities of the social genre have coats of arms and/or crests(ours is the most detailed of any that I’ve ever seen,and the most beautiful),but not necessarily a rendering of such on card stock available for commemorative purposes.I think all chapters should make it available to new initiates;my chapter(UAB)didn’t do this when I was active,but others around us did.That’s my only regret from back then.I would hope that they would be doing it now.A well-written and informative work,Jono:)!
Yours in ZAX,
David M.Sharpe
Sigma-Chi#195
Bill Richard Says:
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:01 pmAt Ohio State, in the mid-50s, there was no tradition of signing a coat of arms. Nonetheless, each new initiate was presented with one. I have managed to misplace mine in the 50 years since I was initiated. I do have a fraternity coat of arms proudly displayed on the wall of my office, however.
While in law school, in the mid-60s, I joined The Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, International. I served as the Tribune (corresponding secretary) and Dean (High Alpha) of my local student Senate (Chapter), and was named the “Most Outstanding Student Member of the Fraternity” in 1967, the year I graduated. In 1969, I was elected to the lowest of the seven international offices of the “Supreme Senate” of Delta Theta Phi, and I served as the International Chancellor (Grand High Alpha)from 1977 to 1979. During my tenure on the Supreme Senate, I served on the Board of Directors, and as President Elect, of the Professional Interfraternity Conference (Now the Professional Fraternity Association, “PFA” since its merger with the Professional Panhelenic Association in the mid-70s.” As I recall, all of the professional fraternities had a coat of arms. I would expect that Craig’s Manual probably displays all American fraternal coats of arms. (Curiously, my Lambda Chi undergraduate roommate, then High Alpha of Gamma Tau Zeta, became the Grand High Alpha of his dental fraternity [I don't know its name]at the turn of the millenium.)
Yours in ZAX,
Bill Richard (Gamma Tau 428)
Matt Says:
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:33 pmDale, perhaps you could explain a bit more. Quite frankly, I’m not sure that many fraternities/sororities have a coat of arms, but usually have crests. There is a difference and Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the few which have a true coat of arms. This is not to say that we are the only one, but if you were to give us an example, it would be helpful.
IPZ 791
Brad Ziegler Says:
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:52 pmI had no clue what the Form 25 was, Very interesting. I wish I had recieved one to hang next to my certificate.
Great Article!
In ZAX,
Brad Ziegler
Central Michigan
LO 606
George Gabel Says:
October 29th, 2007 at 2:19 pmAs a member of the ‘87 International Ritual Team I remember signing many copies of the Coat of Arms and intoducing the idea to my chapter. I remember it more for the writters cramp than a “mini-ritual”
Yours in ZAX,
George C. Gabel
Z1071