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Fun Facts
Our Name:
Alpha Chi Omega’s Founders chose “Alpha,” the first
letter of the Greek alphabet, because they were forming the first fraternity
in the school of music. Since they thought they might also be founding the
last such fraternity, “Omega” seemed appropriate because it meant end.
“Kai,” meaning “and,” was added to form the beginning and the end. “Kai” was
soon changed to “Chi,” a letter of the Greek alphabet.
Our Colors:
Alpha Chi Omega’s colors of scarlet and olive green
were chosen to commemorate the Fraternity’s autumn founding in Greencastle,
Indiana.
Open Motto:
Alpha Chi Omega’s open motto is: “Together let us seek the heights.”
Our Flower:
Alpha Chi Omega’s flower is the red
carnation, exemplifying the Fraternity’s colors.
 Our Badge:
Our Founders chose the lyre of Alpha Chi Omega after much research. The
design that appealed most to the Founders was a replica of the harp because
it seemed in keeping with their musical interests. Not quite satisfied,
though, they turned to Greek mythology where they found that the first
instrument played by the gods on Mt. Olympus was a lyre. The original badge
was purchased by Founder Bertha Deniston and is now in the Fraternity
archives at Headquarters. It has 22 miniature pearls and is worn by
initiated members. Our badge was named the most beautiful Greek badge
and it is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington
D.C.
 Our
Pin:
The stick pin, which is worn with the lyre badge, is diamond-shaped with the
top half enameled in scarlet and the bottom in olive green. It features a
lyre across its face. When a new member decides to become a member of
our sisterhood, she is presented with this pin.
Our Coat of Arms:
The coat
of arms includes a square shield, a crest, and a scroll. The shield is red,
cut by a bar of olive green. The first section of the shield displays an
open book in gold; at the base is a sheaf of wheat, also in gold. The bar
has three white stars. The crest, a lyre bird, is in its natural color. The
scroll at the bottom bears our open motto, “Together let us seek the
heights.” |
