Symbols

Symbols

Aim

“The aim of this sorority shall…have for its four-fold objective the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development of its members.”

Mission

“Alpha Sigma Alpha is a women’s organization that exists to promote high ideals and standards for its members throughout their lives by emphasizing balance among the four aims of intellectual, physical, spiritual and social development. Alpha Sigma Alpha provides structure and guidance through: sisterhood, which is a strong bond of unconditional friendship based on common values and heritage, which is expressed through creed, ritual and history, and opportunities for leadership and involvement in chapter, campus and community.”

Creed
To fill my days with satisfying activity,
To find dominant beauty in art, literature, nature, and friendships,
To know the peace and serenity of a divine faith,
To love life and joyously live each day to its ultimate good-
This is my creed in Alpha Sigma Alpha.
-Wilma Wilson Sharp (Zeta Zeta) 1932

Core Values
Relationships	Integrity	Balance	Learning
Generosity	Growth	Responsibility	Enjoyment

Insignia
The star represents the aspirations of Alpha Sigma Alphas to live up to the ideals of the Sorority.
The crown represents leadership attained and the name of recognition given to our alumnae.
The palm tree represents an emblem of sturdy development.
The phoenix, the central symbol in our coat-of-arms, openly represents the reorganization of the Sorority that occurred in 1914.


Colors
Crimson	indicating loyalty, is a primary color of Alpha Sigma Alpha. It is represented through our exemplar St. Valentine and our jewel the ruby.
Pearl White	representing fellowship and a perfect blending of all colors, is also a primary color of Alpha Sigma Alpha. It is represented through our exemplar Christ and our second jewel, the pearl.
Palm Green	a supplementary color, signifying hope, immortality, and victory, is represented through our exemplar Hermes and symbol, the palm.
Gold	a supplementary color, signifying wisdom, wealth, and social achievement, is represented through our exemplar King Asa and our symbol, the crown.

Jewels
	The pearl represents the beauty that comes with growth and belongs distinctly to the new member.		The ruby, its color claimed for an indistinguishable flame in ancient Hindu legend, belongs distinctly to the initiated member.

Motto

Alpha Sigma Alpha has four mottoes. All have their initials the letters Alpha Sigma Alpha. The open motto is (Greek letters first) “Aspire, Seek, Attain.”

Flowers
The fall flower is the aster.		The spring flower is the narcissus.

Celebrations

Founders’ Day is celebrated November 15 of every year and all members of Alpha Sigma Alpha are asked to wear green and gold ribbons underneath their membership badges to represent our enduring sisterhood since 1901 and the social aspect of the sorority.

The Christmas celebration centers around “Christ as an exemplar” and Alpha Sigma Alpha’s service to others. Members are asked to wear crimson and green ribbons underneath their badges to represent loyalty and immortality.

St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated February 14 and members are asked to wear crimson and gold ribbons underneath their membership badges to represent loyalty and the social aspect of the occasion.

Hermes’ Day, May 25, marks the beginning and end of the Alpha Sigma Alpha year. Members are asked to wear green and pearl white ribbons underneath their membership badges on this day, representing victory and fellowship.

Badges
The new member badge, a silver emblem with four concave sides, displays the sorority letters raised against a design of the rising sun. Silver, symbolic of youth and mystery even as the pale moon is but a promise of the sun and shines only with reflected light, is regarded as particularly appropriate for the badge of the novice and new member.
The membership badge, a black enamel emblem with four concave sides superimposed on a similarly shaped gold emblem, displays the sorority letters, a star and a crown. Gold, symbolic of wisdom and revelation, even as the sun sends its shafts of light into the darkest places, is reserved for the badge of the initiate, to whom all mysteries have been made clear.

Mascots

Ladybug Raggedy Ann