You Are Your Letters

Picture a stereotypical sorority or fraternity member. Most likely they’re in their early twenties, maybe at a party or social event. They’re also probably wearing their organization’s Greek letters. These letters can range from hard letters on a line jacket to a hoodie spelling out their organization’s name or accessories like a necklace or ring. Wearing letters is ubiquitous among Greek life, regardless of what type of fraternity or sorority it is.

One of the most exciting parts of becoming an official member of a fraternity or sorority is being able to rep your org. Whether that’s hard letters or subtle jewelry, it’s one of the many draws to Greek life. However, it’s easy for the meaning behind the letters to get lost behind flashy line jackets and custom jerseys. So, why wear the letters if not for show? Is there a deeper meaning behind them?

As a member of a multicultural sorority, I am biased when I say there is. I can only talk about my experience wearing letters, but to me, wearing the letters isn’t just showing off cute merch or looking cool. I wear my letters because I have pride in my sorority and what it stands for. I wear them because they look cool. I wear them because I earned them. Greek letters are worn to show pride in your fraternity or sorority. You represent your organization when you wear your letters and you represent your organization when you aren’t wearing them.

Greek letters are used by sororities and fraternities because of Phi Beta Kappa, which is the first academic fraternity, founded at the College of William & Mary. They began the tradition of Greek letter names, as their name originated from their chosen motto: love of learning is the guide of life. From that motto the organization became known as Phi Beta Kappa. Their decision to use Greek letters came from a desire to be seen as a prestigious organization. At the time Phi Beta Kappa was founded in the late 1700s, knowing Ancient Greek meant you were intelligent and well cultured, a reputation Phi Beta Kappa wanted. Over time, more fraternities and sororities followed their example.

Today, with so many fraternities and sororities already established, the importance of Greek letters is less about what they factually stand for. Now the meaning of letters is often based on the organization’s reputation, good or bad.

Thus, fraternities and sororities have conduct rules for when their members wear letters. Generally, these rules can be summarized as no drinking, no drugs, no inappropriate behavior. In part this is to protect the whole organization’s reputation.

However, it is also intended to be a way to signify the character of the person wearing the letters. By joining their organization, they are agreeing to uphold and continue the values of their organization. These values often include some variation of integrity and leadership.

Because of these values and traditions, there are strong opinions about who can wear letters. Namely, that only members of an organization can wear letters. Specifically, the letters of the organization they joined. One notable exception is the concept of a lavaliering. This refers to when a fraternity member gifts his partner a lavalier necklace that has the Greek letters of his fraternity. Giving a lavalier is seen as a significant step in the relationship, as it often precedes engagements. This can only be done once, thus further showing the importance of considering who gets to wear letters.

Wearing Greek letters is a statement. When you wear them, you tell everyone that you part of this organization. You take on that organization’s reputation, good or bad. And with every action you take, you reinforce or change that reputation.