Honor Sashes

[qoSagh]

I got this idea from a post under another topic. The Klingon Sash, what I have often heard refered to as the Honor Sash has been seen in many forms. Made of metal, Made of fabric, thin or wide, with one or more medals.
This sash has come to represent alot of things, but most of all it seems to be a record of alliances and achievements. It may identify a house or a ship or an award. Worf (The un-Klingon) wore at least two different ones.

Being that the sash seems to be a very individual item, within cultural standards, I have noticed something that I think goes against all this evidence. In many Klingon fan clubs that I have come to know, wearing a sash is often restricted to a certain class of member. Most often to Commissioned Officers but sometimes even to Command Staff. Why is this?

It seems to me that restricting sashes by rank is like saying to someone of a lesser rank that thier achievements, house and awards are meaningless and not worthy of display.

I would instead put out this attitude: questioning ones right to wear an "honor sash" is as if you are questioning that ones honor. I think that this would certainly be seen as a challenge worth fighting over.

 

[KAllen]

Only one of the members of my ship wear a sash, that is because he made it onto his uniform. Others on the ship, due to the design of their uniform, don't or can't wear them.  I have been toying around with some designs for myself, but don't wear one personally. Mainly because it makes my yoke fit funny.

Most Klingons on the shows wear the "typical" one. Worf had the "cool" one from 2nd season on.

[qoSagh]

Now, I think Worf had the cool one in the first season and then got the "other" one. But then again I still like and wear a TOS style uniform, with ridges.

[voraq]

I personally like all the styles of sashes.  And have debated on whether to make one of each or not.

If you notice, at least in TOS and TNG, the only Klingons to wear the Sash were commanders or officers.  Kor-TOS, Kang-TOS, Kurn-TNG, Duras-TNG.

Now, I think Worf had the cool one in the first season and then got the "other" one. But then again I still like and wear a TOS style uniform, with ridges.

Have you made a TOS sash?   If so what did you use?  I am thinking that for the series they used gold vynal and wove it together.  I am not sure though if that would look realistic or if I should try and devise a way to make one out of mettle.


(Edit -- as the thread is shifting from rank and symbolism to materials and construction, I've split it and moved the rest to Sash materials and construction in the General Costuming Discussion section.)

[maq'mang]

Back to the original question as to what different fan clubs do in relation to membership and Honor Sash.

I got this idea from a post under another topic. The Klingon Sash, what I have often heard referred to as the Honor Sash has been seen in many forms. Made of metal, Made of fabric, thin or wide, with one or more medals.

This sash has come to represent allot of things, but most of all it seems to be a record of alliances and achievements. It may identify a house or a ship or an award. Worf (The un-Klingon) wore at least two different ones.

I have only had one and it is cloth.

Being that the sash seems to be a very individual item, within cultural standards, I have noticed something that I think goes against all this evidence. In many Klingon fan clubs that I have come to know, wearing a sash is often restricted to a certain class of member. Most often to Commissioned Officers but sometimes even to Command Staff. Why is this? It seems to me that restricting sashes by rank is like saying to someone of a lesser rank that thier achievements, house and awards are meaningless and not worthy of display.

I entered klingdom in 1999, my first event was a month later, a movie premier and I showed up in costume, granted others helped me get the costume, got it second hand. It was not in great shape but d*&@ if I did not have a blast. I was a go getter but I did not get my Honor sash until I helped form the IKV Honor's Blade. Only then was my accomplishments properly recognized.

I can not state what other clubs do. In the clubs I have been a member of the Honor Sash is an "honor" that is earned by the accomplishments of the warrior. As in any good leadership, the warrior's superior is most likely in communication with the head of the warrior's house and they discuss when honoree is ready. When a warrior is the type to earn a sash, they go on to earn other awards that is then displayed on their honor sash.

We independents use the Command cloak to identify the Command Staff and our Command Staff consists of the Commanding Officer, the Executive Officer and the Marine Force Leader.

Additionally, on the back of the sash, I put to you that is the location that the warrior wears the house and vessel seals of allies to his house and ship. Additionally the awards (Front) and Alliances (Rear) would be displayed in accordance to the Honor Road. How do you arrange your awards upon your Honor Sash?

I would instead put out this attitude: questioning ones right to wear an "honor sash" is as if you are questioning that ones honor. I think that this would certainly be seen as a challenge worth fighting over.

 :lol: If EVER anyone questioned my right to wear an Honor Sash would have committed character sepku, I would just help them along. I once did have this old toothless one question my right to wear read in my command cloak, the same drunken superior that failed to see I got my honor sash. Since there is not glory in putting down the infirm he's still in a stupor somewhere.

If you notice, at least in TOS and TNG, the only Klingons to wear the Sash were commanders or officers.  Kor-TOS, Kang-TOS, Kurn-TNG, Duras-TNG.

As far as that goes, Since a Klingon warrior serves on a ship of hundreds, there is no reason every costumed member would not be an officer, unless by choice.  If you choose to be a Bekk then you wear no honor sash.

Now, I think Worf had the cool one in the first season and then got the "other" one. But then again I still like and wear a TOS style uniform, with ridges.

Since the heart attack, I am moving to a TOS approach for most of my costumed appearances since they are usually 5k walks, blood drives & road side cleanups.

[Abbot Nej vIt]

For Us the General Rule of thumb is, If You have Received an Award of Some Sort then You Have Every Right to Wear the Sash, (What Ever Style)... Regardless of Rank... We also Observe that Comand Level Staff Tend to Wear the Command Cloak (But Not all Choose to)... We Have Also Adopted TOS Style Uniforms for Less Formal Situation Such as During the Day at Cons, Etc...