The square knot device is displayed on the uniform to denote that the wearer has received the corresponding award. The award is usually in the form of a certificate and many awards also include a medallion or other momento.
A knot emblem does have left and right sides. The rope loop over the rope ends always is to the wearer's right. The diagram here shows how the knots would look to someone looking at the shirt. The knot images on the rest of this page all show the correct knot direction.
The square knots are to be worn centered directly above the left shirt pocket. The first knot should be placed with its bottom edge touching the top seam of the pocket flap. The next two knots are placed on both sides of the first knot in a straight row of three knots. Additional knots are placed directly above the first row with bottom edge touching top edge of the existing knots.
From the diagram, you can see that as additional knots are earned, single and double knots on a row need to be resewn. For this reason, some people prefer to place knots right-justified with the pocket edge.
Most common Boy Scout awards that have square knot patches associated with them are listed here. For a list of discontinued and more rare awards, see this page.
Personal Achievement: |
Arrow of Light Award
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Eagle Scout Award A Boy Scout earns the Eagle Scout award by completing requirements from the Scout handbook. The Eagle Scout award is the highest youth rank in scouting. The award patch is worn as a Boy Scout - adults wear the square knot symbol. |
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Recognition: |
James West Fellowship Award The Merit Medal honors Scouts, Venturers and Scouters that have performed some act of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected of a youth or adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. Key in the difference between this award and the Heroism awards is that the action need not involve saving life, but must employ some aspect of Scouting learning or skills in the execution. |
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| Medal of Merit The Merit Medal honors Scouts, Venturers and Scouters that have performed some act of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected of a youth or adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. Key in the difference between this award and the Heroism awards is that the action need not involve saving life, but must employ some aspect of Scouting learning or skills in the execution. |
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| Medal of Heroism The Heroism Award is presented to Scouts and Scouters that have saved a life at little or no personal risk. In the past, those persons would receive a Certificate of Heroism from the local Council. Today, those previous holders of Certificates of Heroism as well as present Scouts, Explorers or Scouters are honored with the present Medal. |
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| Medal of Honor The Honor Medal is presented to Scouts and Scouters shown courage in attempting to save a life with personal risk. This award has been presented posthumously to Scouts who have died while attempting to save the life of another. In very exceptional cases the award is presented with crossed gold palms to Scouts and Scouters who have attempted to save a life at great personal risk demonstrating exceptional heroism. |
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| William T. Hornaday Award * The William T. Hornaday Award recognizes Scouts and Scouters for their service to conservation and ecology efforts in their communities. There are six different Hornaday awards with an ever-increasing scale of challenge. The youth individual awards are based on earning certain merit badges and completing one or more significant conservation projects. |
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| Youth Religious Emblem Award Religious emblems are for all members of the BSA that wish to pursue them. The Youth Awards are earned through work with the individual religious unit and the requirements for each are set by the church and not by BSA. Once earned, the award is generally presented by the church or religious group but may also be recognized by the Scout unit at an event such as a Court of Honor or Troop meeting or Pack meeting. This award may be earned as a youth, or presented to an adult that is nominated. Once earned as a youth, the knot may be displayed on the uniform from that time forward. If a Scout earns the youth award and as an adult later is presented the adult award as well, both knots may be worn. For each faith, a specific set of requirements is published and is established by the religious faith and not by BSA. For a listing of resources for each of the religious faiths that participate in this program, see the P.R.A.Y. web site |
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Service: |
Adult Religious Service Award • An adult religious recognition award is presented by nomination only. The recognition is presented to worthy adults for their outstanding service to youth both through their religious institution and one of the national youth agencies. Recipients of these awards are unaware that they are being nominated. They are nominated to receive an award by submitting the required application, letters of recommendation, and resume. Please check eligibility requirements for specific awards. For a listing of resources for each of the religious faiths that participate in this program, see the P.R.A.Y. web site |
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Community Organization Award |
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District/Division Award of Merit |
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George Meany Award |
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Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award |
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Silver Antelope Award |
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Silver Beaver Award |
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Silver Buffalo Award |
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Whitney Young Jr. Service Award |
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William D. Boyce Award |
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¡Scouting ... Vale La Pena! Award |
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Asian American Award |
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International Scouter Award |
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Silver World Award |
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Training: |
Cubmaster Award |
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Cub Scouter Award |
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Den Leader Award - Tigers |
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Den Leader Award - Wolves, Bears |
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Den Leader Award - Webelos |
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Scoutmaster Award of Merit |
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Scoutmaster's Key Award |
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Boy Scout Leader's Training Award |
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