On sailor caps there is a ribbon - the ends of which usually tremble in the wind, serving as the main decoration of the headgear. Why is it customary to wear these ribbons on marine hats, have they always been, and why have they been introduced? If we consider the history of the appearance of a peakless cap as a marine headdress, and also consider some naval traditions, all these questions will find comprehensive answers.

Sailors did not always have ribbons, and from the moment they appeared they were not recognized for some time. The history of the appearance and evolution of ribbons on the headdresses of sailors is complex and ambiguous, but it is extremely interesting.

Cap tape - history of occurrence

Cap ribbons are worn today by sailors in almost all countries. The custom originated with Mediterranean fishermen who received these products from their wives and loved ones. Prayers, words of love, wishes were embroidered on ribbons. It was believed that they bring happiness and good fortune, serve as a talisman, saving a person from dangers that may lie in wait on the sea. This was done so that the person was lucky, returned home with a good catch. There was also a tradition of wearing ribbons indicating the nature of a person, the words "brave", "sea wolf" could simply be written with paint. The tape was used to tie hair.

Interesting fact: There is a legend about how the tape saved one sailor, while his comrades drowned.The thing was done for him by his beloved girl.

With the advent of the first statutory form of the navy and the first hats - tapes were not officially introduced. But there is a legend that English sailors imposed ribbons with a gold inscription "undaunted" when they stormed the fortress of Curacao, which was at the disposal of the Dutch. Despite the fact that the attack was unsuccessful then, the custom of wearing ribbons started in that period, and this thing quickly spread throughout the fleet, first in the UK and then in other countries.

Using tapes on marine caps

With the advent of sea caps, the use of ribbons has gained enormous practical meaning. Headgear was blown off in the winds, while the tape allowed to attach the thing to the head and keep it. During this period, the names of sailors began to be applied to ribbons. If a cap with the name of one or another person was found in the water, it was believed that he was gone. In 1857, the Russian fleet actively used oilcloth hats, which every sailor had to rely on. The first tapes appeared on them, which were used for the same purpose - so as not to lose a thing. Officially, a peakless cap with a ribbon appeared in 1872, it was supposed to mark the crew number on the ribbon, and it was necessary to depict anchors at the ends of the ribbon.

In 1874 a new order came out, according to which it was necessary to use black visors with edging and ribbons. The tapes should indicate the name of the ship, crew number or formation. The tape should have been 140 cm long.

On July 20, 1878, the crews of the Black Sea Fleet, which participated in the defense of Sevastopol in 1854-55, received the right to wear guards ribbons in black and orange.These ribbons were award, became evidence of the feat of sailors. But even ordinary ribbons remained a source of pride, were a symbol of belonging to the maritime fraternity.

Post-revolutionary marine cap caps

After the revolution in Russia, much has changed, including the navy uniform. Graduations removed, tulle reduced, guards ribbons removed. On a black tape, the name of the fleet should not be indicated. In 1923, a single font was introduced for inscriptions on ribbons; it has remained so to this day. But the sailors of the battleships, cruisers and destroyers were still named.

However, the guards ribbons returned, it happened during the Second World War, they again became award. At the end of the tape the names of the ships were completely excluded; only the names of the fleets began to be applied. Instead, the sailors began to actively use the badges with the name of the ships, although they were actively uprooted by officers under the pretext of military secrecy. Also, tapes with the name of the ships were ordered upon dismissal, and continued to be worn with pride. Today, tapes with the name of the ships are not uprooted, they appear in the framework of naval being.

Thus, the ribbons appeared as an attribute excluding the loss of headgear. In further evolution, they became a kind of identification mark and a subject of pride, which is revered by sailors.