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Pennant: Symbolism Referring Back to the Roman Empire
Chapel, celebrating its 75th anniversary, releases its official pennant, which symbolizes students’ love and pride for their school.
Chapel produced four pennant models, all showcased in two colors (blue and red or two shades of blue). The models differ in terms of the material used and its purpose. Besides the traditional felt pennant, there is a model in satin, another in paper, and finally, a model produced in a smaller size, with an adhesive that can be applied on any surface. The pennants will not be sold. The distribution will be reserved for graduation events, sports celebrations, commemorative dates, and merit.
This year’s 30 High School graduates were the first to receive the highly desired felt pennant. The Elementary School graduates received the satin one. The paper and adhesive pennants will have a wider distribution, delivered to anyone in the community who requisitions it. In these special moments of celebration experienced by everyone in the school, the Chapel pennant expresses the energy that moves our community and defines our identity.
By Luciana Brandespim
Commonly exchanged between sports teams, clubs, and national teams, before the match starts to demonstrate respect and courtesy amongst opponents, this small pointed flag in the shape of a triangle or trapezoid, is also used to symbolize commemorations and festivities. The name “pennant” means a narrow, pointed flag used for identification, signaling, or decoration. Its origins are still uncertain. It is believed it was created by the military dating back to the Roman Empire.
The words flammula (latim) and phlamoulon (greek) appear in works from the IV and V centuries respectively in a text by the author Vegécio. Alluding to one of the types of insignias used by the Ancient Roman Empire, and on a war guide, whose authorship is attributed to the Byzantine Emperor Maurice. The practice of exchanging pennants also refers back to the Roman Empire when an army would deliver their flag in acknowledgment of the opponents’ superiority, as to avoid more deaths in battle.
In modern times, the pennant rose to popularity from 1950 to the 1970s, a period in which universities, schools, and clubs began using them to promote their identity and activities. At Chapel, it is possible to see, in the hall close to the Guidance Department, pennants from various prestigious universities to which Chapel students were accepted. These pennants represent pride and are a symbol of accomplishment of former students or in other cases given by visiting school. Pennants were so popular that it was common for other institutions or establishments to distribute colorful pennants with their names and logos to promote their brand.
Especially, in the field of sports, by exchanging pennants before the match teams demonstrate mutual recognition, no matter the score. Regardless of the origin and objectives, the exchange of pennants works as a gesture of friendship and symbolizes that opponents do not need to be enemies.
GALLERY
The celebration of St. Patrick’s Day; the induction ceremony for new NHS and JNHS members; the literary tributes on World Book Day; the costumes and unbridled fun that took place during Spirit Week and High School Fun Day; in addition to the senior students’ emotional graduation, some of the events that occurred during the past semester at Chapel. In the following pages, check out photos of such moments of congeniality and celebration that always bring the school community together.
