You see it hanging on a porch or pinned to a dorm wall. It’s bold. It’s red and white. But if you’re looking at an Alpha Sigma Phi flag, you’re actually looking at over 175 years of secret society history distilled into a single piece of fabric. It isn’t just decor. Most people think fraternity flags are just logos thrown onto a background for a tailgate, but the "Old Gal"—the nickname for the fraternity—doesn't do things that way.
Alpha Sigma Phi was founded at Yale in 1845. Think about that for a second. This was a time when fraternities were basically underground literary societies. They were intense. They were private. They were very much about "The Cause." Because of that, every single line and color on that flag actually represents a specific pillar of their philosophy.
What the Colors and Layout Actually Represent
The official colors are cardinal red and stone gray. On the Alpha Sigma Phi flag, these usually manifest as three vertical stripes. You've got two red ones on the outside and a gray one right in the middle.
Why vertical? A lot of people mistake this for a simple aesthetic choice. Honestly, it’s a nod to European heraldry. In the 19th century, everything had to feel "stately." The stone gray is supposed to represent the endurance of the brotherhood—like stone, obviously—while the cardinal red is the lifeblood and passion of the members.
In the center of that gray stripe, you'll see the letters: $\text{A}\Sigma\Phi$.
Sometimes you'll see versions with the coat of arms instead. If you look closely at a high-quality flag, the crest includes a pheasant and a "sphinx" (though it’s technically a hidden symbol for the members). It’s all very cryptic. If you’re a pledge or an alum, that flag is basically a visual cheat sheet for the fraternity's secret rituals.
Different Versions for Different Occasions
Not every flag is the same. You’ll find the "Chapter Flag" and the "Display Flag."
- The ritual flag is often kept inside the house, away from the elements. It’s usually higher quality, sometimes embroidered. This isn't the one you'd see at a football game.
- The outdoor flag is what most people recognize. These are made of durable polyester. They have to survive the wind and sun of a Big Ten or SEC campus.
One thing that confuses people is the "Old Gal" nickname. You might see some custom flags that feature a vintage-style woman or a more "retro" look. Those are unofficial but popular for social events. However, if you're representing the fraternity at an official university function, you stick to the tri-band vertical stripe design.
Why the Design Has Remained So Consistent
Alpha Sig is the tenth oldest fraternity in the United States. They’ve gone through periods where the fraternity almost died out, especially during the late 1800s when Yale’s faculty banned Greek life. When it was reorganized in 1907 by Wayne Montgomery Musgrave and Edwin Morey Waterbury, they were obsessive about keeping the traditions intact.
They didn't want to modernize the look to fit the "current trends" of the early 20th century. They wanted it to look like it belonged in 1845. That’s why the Alpha Sigma Phi flag looks a bit more "classic" than some of the newer fraternities founded in the 1960s or 70s. It feels like a piece of history because, well, it is.
Buying a Flag: What to Look For
If you’re an active member or a chapter president, don't just buy the cheapest thing on Amazon. You'll regret it when it fades to a weird pink color after three weeks of sun exposure.
Look for "300D" or "600D" polyester. That refers to the denier, or thickness, of the fabric. A 3x5 foot flag is the standard size for most flagpoles. Also, make sure it has brass grommets. Plastic ones will snap the second the wind picks up.
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Another big thing? One-sided vs. Double-sided.
- One-sided: The image is printed on one side and bleeds through. The letters look backward on the other side. This is fine for a wall.
- Double-sided: Two pieces of fabric sewn together with a blackout layer in the middle. This is what you want for a flagpole so the $\text{A}\Sigma\Phi$ looks correct from both directions.
Proper Etiquette and the "Old Gal" Standards
Fraternity flags aren't just for fun. There is actual etiquette involved.
You should never let the flag touch the ground. It sounds like common sense, but during a busy move-in day or a social event, flags get dropped. In Alpha Sigma Phi, the flag represents the "Silence" and "Charity" of the brothers. Treating it like a dirty rag is a quick way to get a talking-to from an older alum.
Also, if you're flying it alongside the American flag, the U.S. flag always—always—goes on top or to its own right.
Common Misconceptions About the Symbols
I’ve heard people say the stars on some versions of the crest represent the founding members. That’s partially true, but it’s more about the specific "lights" that guide the brotherhood.
The fraternity’s motto is Causa Latet Vis Est Notissima.
"The cause is hidden, the results are well known."
This motto is why the flag doesn't have a bunch of words on it. It’s meant to be subtle. It’s meant to be a signal to those who know, while just looking like a nice design to everyone else. The "hidden cause" is the internal bond, and the "results" are the leaders they produce.
Actionable Steps for Chapter Management
If you are responsible for your chapter's branding or physical house appearance, take these specific steps to ensure your Alpha Sigma Phi flag represents the "Old Gal" correctly:
- Audit your current flags: If your house flag is frayed, faded, or torn, replace it immediately. A "tired" flag suggests a tired chapter.
- Invest in a "Heavy Duty" version: For outdoor poles, skip the $15 options and spend the $50 on a double-sided, UV-protected nylon version. It saves money in the long run because you won't replace it every semester.
- Indoor Mounting: Use a tension rod or specific flag clips for wall mounting. Tacks or duct tape damage the fabric and look unprofessional during recruitment.
- Archive the Old: If you have an old flag from a significant year in your chapter’s history, don't throw it away. Shadow-box it. It’s a piece of your specific chapter’s lineage.
The flag is more than a piece of branding. It’s a 180-year-old link to the past. Whether it’s flying over a chapter house in Michigan or hanging in a dorm in California, it carries the weight of every brother who came before. Keep it clean, fly it high, and respect what those cardinal and stone stripes stand for.