British cockade

A British cockade is a decorative badge or knot worn on clothing or headgear to display allegiance or rank. Historically, it consists of concentric circles of ribbon—typically red, white, and blue—symbolizing national colors. During various periods, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, soldiers, sailors, and civilian supporters used cockades to show loyalty to the British Crown or specific military units. They served both as identification and as a form of patriotic expression. The design and color arrangements could vary depending on the context, making the cockade a recognizable emblem of British identity and allegiance.