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Insignia and notation of armed forces: rank and branch insignia, unit and qualification badges, and the map symbology used to plan and record operations.
Here when the mark belongs to a military organisation or its practice. Heraldic charges that appear on military devices are filed under heraldic, where the grammar that governs them lives.
Officially standardised through service regulations and APP-6 / MIL-STD map symbology, with a historical layer behind the older insignia.
All 110symbols in this domain, A–Z.
A braided cord over the shoulder.
A rotor shape attached to a unit icon.
A dot beneath an arc inside a unit frame.
A parachute canopy attached to a unit icon.
A labelled point where ammunition is issued.
A wave shape attached to a unit icon.
An anchor on a decoration or badge, marking naval service.
A line with regular teeth marking an excavated obstacle.
Four X marks above a unit frame, marking a field army.
Five X marks above a unit frame, marking an army group.
A filled dot inside a unit frame.
An enclosed area where a force gathers before an operation.
A pair of wings inside a unit frame.
A pair of outspread wings worn as a qualification badge by aircrew.
A broad hollow arrow showing a route of movement.
A plain rectangular bar worn as a junior officer rank device.
Two vertical bars above a unit frame, marking a battalion.
A line with echelon marks dividing areas of responsibility.
A small emblem naming the trade.
A single X above a unit frame, marking a brigade.
A three-pronged arrow marking British government property.
A medal awarded for service in a named conflict or theatre.
A labelled point where casualties are gathered for evacuation.
A numbered circle marking a control point on a route.
A retort shape inside a unit frame.
A flag staff attached to a unit frame.
A uniform rounded-top headstone bearing a unit badge, name and optional emblem.
A single vertical bar above a unit frame, marking a company.
Three X marks above a unit frame, marking a corps.
A cross-shaped decoration — the dominant form for gallantry awards in Europe.
Two swords crossed in saltire, used as a branch and appointment device.
A crown on a decoration, marking the sovereign as the source of the honour.
A crown worn as a rank device in British and Commonwealth services.
A labelled point where contamination is removed.
A narrow solid arrow showing a specific line of attack.
Two X marks above a unit frame, marking a division.
A labelled area where parachuted troops or stores land.
An enclosed area where fires are concentrated on an enemy.
A shape like a squared letter E inside a unit frame.
Two handheld flags whose angles spell letters, one at a time.
An award for a specific act of courage, as distinct from service.
A plain silver cross bearing St George and the dragon, for gallantry away from the enemy.
A collar tab marking high rank.
The sun, switched on and off.
Two crossed strokes above a horizontal base.
A triangle over a sheltering figure.
A labelled area where helicopters set down.
A ring of laurel leaves enclosing or framing another device.
A shape like a squared letter M inside a unit frame.
Crossed lines with an oval inside a unit frame.
A metal bar fixed across a medal's ribbon, naming a campaign or action.
A five-pointed star suspended from a light blue ribbon, the highest US military decoration.
An upright cross inside a unit frame.
A V-shaped stripe worn on the sleeve to mark non-commissioned rank.
Crossed pistols or the letters MP inside a unit frame.
A star worn as a rank device, most familiar on general officers' insignia.
A row of filled dots marking laid mines.
A half-size copy of a medal, worn with evening dress.
A single wheel beneath a unit icon.
A small peak shape attached to a unit icon.
A rounded oval inside a unit frame, marking armoured forces.
Dots, vertical bars and X marks above a unit frame, showing its size.
A rectangle marking a friendly force on a military map.
A diamond marking a hostile force on a military map.
Two crossed diagonal lines inside a unit frame, marking infantry.
A square marking a neutral force on a military map.
A letter and a number for a rank.
A quatrefoil marking a force of undetermined affiliation.
Rings around the cuff.
Rings of braid around the cuff marking commissioned naval rank.
An enclosed area within which fires are prohibited.
A small metal numeral on a ribbon, counting awards or tours.
An oak leaf worn as a field officer rank device, above the collar or on a shoulder.
A small cluster of oak leaves worn on a ribbon to mark a repeat award.
An enclosed area labelled with an objective name.
A circle with a cross above it marking an observation point.
A small bronze palm frond worn on a ribbon, chiefly in French and Belgian systems.
A labelled line coordinating movement across a map.
A small star-shaped device marking junior officer rank in British practice.
Three dots above a unit frame, marking a platoon.
A purple heart-shaped medal bearing a profile of George Washington.
Straight or flaming rays radiating between the arms of a decoration.
How the parts of a medal group fit together — medal, ribbon, clasp, device and the order they are worn in.
A single diagonal line inside a unit frame.
A labelled point where vehicles take on fuel.
Three vertical bars above a unit frame, marking a regiment.
A labelled point where a march formally ends.
An enclosed area where fires need prior coordination.
A row of short ribbon lengths worn in place of the medals themselves.
A small metal mark on a ribbon.
Two dots above a unit frame, marking a section.
A small star worn on a military medal ribbon to count campaigns or awards.
A diagonal or horizontal sleeve stripe marking completed years of service.
A stiff panel carrying the rank.
A report that means one thing.
A shutter over a light.
A diagonal line with a loop, inside a unit frame.
An arrowhead shape inside a unit frame.
A single dot above a unit frame, marking a squad.
A star on a decoration — the commonest award motif, and the least transferable.
A labelled point where a march formally begins.
Two fish flanking a boat.
A shape like a squared letter S inside a unit frame.
How a medal hangs from its ribbon — ring, straight bar or ornate suspender.
A wheel shape inside a unit frame.
A shell case turned into a vase.
A bronze cross pattée bearing a lion and crown, the highest British gallantry award.
Outspread wings on a badge or decoration, chiefly marking aviation.
A line with regular cross ticks marking barbed wire.
A laurel or oak wreath framing a decoration's central device.