Badge

A badge is a device or accessory, often containing the <a href="/facts/Insignia/gH4rrkga">insignia</a> of an <a href="/facts/Organization/CR83f1Rn">organization</a>, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath (e.g., police and fire), a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple means of identification. They are also used in advertising, publicity, and for branding purposes.
Badges can be made from <a href="/facts/Metal/PT8hNX6R">metal</a>, <a href="/facts/Plastic/Kla5QItn">plastic</a>, <a href="/facts/Leather/kvQtwHPH">leather</a>, <a href="/facts/Textile/PJrVeM5S">textile</a>, <a href="/facts/Natural_rubber/CbsjJxhY">rubber</a>, etc., and they are commonly attached to clothing, bags, <a href="/facts/Footwear/JgvYYCSS">footwear</a>, vehicles, home electrical equipment, etc. Textile badges or patches can be either woven or embroidered, and can be attached by gluing, ironing-on, sewing or applique.
Badges have become highly collectable: in the <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom/kuPAILt2">UK</a>, for example, the Badge Collectors' Circle has been in existence since 1980.
In the <a href="/facts/Military/kgNmLUnN">military</a>, badges are used to denote the unit or arm to which the wearer belongs, and also qualifications received through military training, rank, etc. Similarly, youth organizations such as <a href="/facts/Scouting/BwE4ELxX">scouting</a> and guiding use them to show group membership, awards and rank.

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Badge