Why Square Knots?

The square knot is used as the basis for 30 of the BSA's 36 recognition awards which carry an emblem for uniform wear.  Remember that the actual award is NOT the square knot itself, but rather an emblem worn in recognition of the actual award.  The actual award is typically a medallion suspended from a colorful ribbon which is worn around the adult's neck.

The actual reason why the square knot was chosen is rooted in the history of the BSA.  The first Chief Scout Executive, James West, decided to end the long tradition of allowing BSA Scoutmasters and Commissioners to wear military medal ribbons and other military-looking ribbons to represent Scouting awards.  It is rumored that he chose the square knot as the emblem to represent the Eagle, Scouters' Key and Scouters' Training Award, and the Silver Beaver (the first awards for Scouters to wear) because the square knot would remind Scouters to continue to be of service to others.  The square knot, of course, is the knot associated with first aid.  So, with different combinations of rope colors, and later with different background colors, the square knot became Scouting's "informal ribbons" representing national, regional, local Council, and eventually unit awards.

There isn't any written confirmation of this historical account, but this description and reasoning has been published in previous editions of Scouting magazine as well as on several websites.

[Credit:  parts of this text copied from website of US Scouting Service Project, Inc.]