Rosettes: A Brief History
The lapel Rosette has its origin with the Legion of Honor award, a special designation established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to reward and recognize exemplary military service and civil merits. The rosette of 1802 was considerably larger than that which is made now, and it was mounted on the ribbon from which the Legion of Honor award was displayed.
Around 1850, the rosette was modestly redesigned and miniaturized so that it could be worn on clothing in a manner more appropriate for civilian use. In 1877, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States became the first organization in the U.S. to use a lapel rosette to identify its members.
Today, lapel rosettes are awarded to, and worn proudly by, members of various types of organizations in both public and private sectors. They are presented as a symbol of achievement, or in recognition of an individual’s allegiance or affiliation to a particular organization.