THE EMBLEM
The emblem of our movement is “argent an eight-pointed cross gules, overlaid with a golden fleur-de-lis”. It was chosen by the founders of the movement in Cologne in 1956.
The red Maltese cross recalls the ideal of former knighthood, in particular 
that of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, red being the colour of generosity and courage. The eight points also recall the religion of our movement’s members, and the red, the blood of martyrs. The eight points illustrated, for the former Knights of Malta, the eight virtues of the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount that they were to acquire.
The fleur-de-lis is the scouts’ universal emblem, recalling the fleur-de-lis pointing North on all the former maps – and thus the right direction-, and its points illustrate the three main virtues of scouts, i.e. truthfulness, devotedness and pureness.
The emblem of the movement is worn on the beret, the chest, the belt buckle and on the flag of the movement, called Baussant.
THE BAUSSANT
Is the flag of the Guides and Scouts of Europe. The word “Baussant” comes from old French meaning “beau signe” or “beautiful sign”. This banner was created and adopted in 1966 during the movement’s pilgrimage to celebrate the millennium of St Michael’s Mount.
It is directly inspired by the Templar banner and has a two-tone background, black on the left and white on the right. As on the Templar gonfanon, where they are superimposed, these colours illustrate the fight of good against evil. On this background is the emblem of the movement, i.e. the red Maltese cross with a golden fleur-de-lis. The Guides and Scouts of Europe commit solemnly on this Baussant when they make their Promise.
The white part of the Baussant represents the “banner of Christ”, Heaven and the works of the Holy Spirit. The black part recalls the earth and our daily commitment to act practically, and to fight evil. White and black are two colours that have always depicted light and darkness, and therefore also symbolise the fight of good against evil which takes place in the world and in the life of each one of us. In the centre, the eight-pointed cross with the fleur-de-lis reminds us that the victory of light over darkness started with the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The Baussant pictures our will as Guides and Scouts of Europe to help establish the reign of Christ in our lives and in the world around us.
LAW & PRINCIPLES
The Scout Law is the scout and the guide’s compass: on the day of their Promise, they pledge to follow it faithfully throughout their lives. The Law is one of the most important levers of the scouting method, which educates to freedom: only those who are truly free can use their will to follow a law. Also, commitment helps to continually seek the good and to serve in everyday life.
Scout Law
- A scout’s honour is to be trusted.
- A scout is loyal to his country, his parents, his leaders and to those who depend on him.
- A scout is made to serve and save his neighbour.
- A scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other scout.
- A scout is courteous and chivalrous.
- A scout sees in nature the work of God: he likes plants and animals.
- A scout obeys willingly and does not half do things.
- A scout controls himself: he smiles and sings even under difficulties.
- A scout is thrifty and takes care of his own possessions and those of others’.
- A scout is pure in his thoughts, his words and his acts.
Scout principles
- A scout’s duty start at home.
- Faithful to his country, a scout favours a united and fraternal Europe.
- As a son of Christendom, a scout is proud of his faith: he labours to establish the reign of Christ in all his life and in the world around him.
Guide Law
- A guides honour is to be trusted.
- A guide is loyal to her country, her parents, her leaders and to those who depend on her.
- A guide is made to serve and save her neighbour.
- A guide is a friend to all and a sister to every other guide.
- A guide is courteous and chivalrous.
- A guide sees in nature the work of God: she likes plants and animals.
- A guide obeys willingly and does not half do things.
- A guide controls herself: she smiles and sings even under difficulties.
- A guide is thrifty and takes care of her own possessions and those of others’.
- A guide is pure in her thoughts, her words and her acts.
Guide principle
- A guides duty start at home.
- Faithful to her country, a guide favours a united and fraternal Europe.
- As a daughter of Christendom, a guide is proud of her faith: she labours to establish the reign of Christ in all her life and in the world around her.
THE UNIFORM
The purpose of the uniform is to form a single and united group, showing no difference in clothing styles that would indicate the origin or social level. A visual expression of the whole pedagogy, the wearing of the scout uniform is also a sign showing the Union’s unity wherever there are groups of Guides and Scouts of Europe.
- The uniform consists of navy-blue trousers or skirt, and beige, navy-blue or light-blue shirts, according to the age group, and eventually the activity field (e.g. mountain or sea scouts).
- All wear a leather belt with the scout cross on the buckle, a symbol of scouting adventure, reminding them that “to put on a belt is to freely accept discipline, to be ready to leave“.
- On the shirt are sewn badges which show the scout’s various development stages such as classes, badges, proficiency badges… They encourage the younger scouts to learn from their elders, and thus grow. Other insignia are there to show their Guides and Scouts of Europe membership, but also that they belong to their country, region, group and patrol (bands).
- Scouts and Guides wear a beret with two straps or a flat-brimmed hat, depending on the association.
- The scarf is the universal scouting trademark.