White feather (symbol)
A symbol of cowardice, peace, or bravery depending on context.
The white feather is a symbol with multiple, often contradictory, meanings. Historically, it has been most prominently known as a symbol of cowardice, particularly during the First World War in the United Kingdom, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries, where it was used in the 'white feather movement' to shame non-enlisting men into military service. In the 21st century, this meaning is largely limited to historical reference, while in the United States armed forces, it has been used to signify extraordinary bravery and excellence in combat marksmanship.
- First attested as symbol of cowardice
- Late 18th century
- Origin of cowardice meaning
- Cockfighting, per Francis Grose (1785)
- Prominent use period
- World War I (1914-1918)
- Renewed use
- World War II
- Alternative meaning (us military)
- Bravery and combat marksmanship
- Alternative meaning (pacifism)
- Symbol of peace and non-violence
Lore & Background
The use of the phrase 'white feather' to symbolize cowardice is attested from the late 18th century. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, lexicographer Francis Grose wrote in 1785: 'White feather, he has a white feather, he is a coward, an allusion to a game cock, where having a white feather, is a proof he is not of the true game breed.' This originated in the context of cockfighting. During the First World War, Admiral Charles Penrose-Fitzgerald founded in August 1914 what became known as the 'Order of the White Feather', where groups of young women handed out white feathers to men in civilian attire in public places to shame them into enlisting. While some suffragettes supported the campaign, Emmeline Pankhurst did not actively participate in the white feather movement; she focused on other war efforts.
Reader's Guide
The white feather's significance is deeply tied to its use as a tool of social pressure during wartime, particularly in World War I, where it was employed by women to shame men into military service. This campaign was criticized for its indiscriminate nature, as even soldiers on leave or men rejected for medical reasons could receive feathers. In contrast, the white feather has also been adopted by pacifist groups as a symbol of peace, such as the Māori prophet Te Whiti o Rongomai promoting its wearing in the 1870s, and the Peace Pledge Union selling white feather badges in 1937. In the United States military, it has taken on a meaning of courage and superior marksmanship, notably worn by Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock during the Vietnam War. The symbol's legacy is thus one of contested meanings, ranging from cowardice to peace to bravery, depending on cultural and historical context.
Did You Know?
- The white feather as a symbol of cowardice originated from cockfighting, where a white feather indicated a bird was not of true game breed.
- During World War I, the white feather campaign was criticized because even soldiers on leave or men rejected for medical reasons could receive feathers.
- In the 1870s, Māori prophet Te Whiti o Rongomai promoted wearing white feathers as a symbol of passive resistance.
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