Q. Over the years the arrows in the Vigil triangle have been shown going clockwise and counterclockwise. Which way is correct?
A. This is actually a subject that we have received many questions about in recent years, so thanks for your question! The short answer to your question is that there was no right way. Various representations of the Vigil Honor triangle over the years have shown the arrows in a clockwise as well as in a counterclockwise direction. We have been unable to find any reason why the direction was adopted or changed.
To address the consternation of some OA members concerning the direction of arrows in the Vigil Honor triangle, the national Order of the Arrow committee considered the matter at its meeting on December 28th, 2013. As a result of this discussion, a resolution was adopted by the national OA committee which brings uniformity to the direction of the Vigil Honor triangle arrows. The resolution reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the red triangle with the three white arrows running parallel to the sides is the official symbol of the Vigil Honor.
WHEREAS, the direction of said arrows has appeared both clockwise and counterclockwise since the earliest use of this symbol. Consultation with experts in Order of the Arrow history and memorabilia has not revealed a definitive reason why either direction was chosen or utilized at any point in time, and that both directions have frequently been used concurrently in various forms.
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the national Order of the Arrow committee to standardize the direction of the arrows on the Vigil triangle.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the direction of the arrows in the Vigil triangle will forever after be counterclockwise, in any two- or three-dimensional representation on any printed material, sash, or any other item. This direction was chosen for two reasons:
1. The arrow on the right of the triangle points up and over the wearer's right shoulder, parallel to the arrow on the sash.
2. Candidates circle clockwise to enter the circle and approach the fire. Since the new Vigil member has kept their Vigil at the fire, he now reverses his path and walks in a counterclockwise spiral outward... in Service.
ADOPTED: December 28th, 2013
By the National Order of the Arrow Committee,
Ray Capp, Chairman
Clyde Mayer, National Director
Over the years we have seen changes in not only the Vigil Honor triangle, but in the OA sash as well. The very first sash for Vigil Honor members (then called the Third Degree) was a "bib sash" constructed of three separate bands and was worn by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll Edson in 1921. The first over-the-shoulder Vigil Honor sashes (then called Third Degree bands) were issued in 1922, made of wool felt and featured a large felt triangle with three arrows. Around 1951, the Vigil sash was changed to a small silk-screened triangle. In 1955 the felt sashes were replaced with the now familiar embroidered sashes; the Vigil Honor sash with the smaller triangle.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of the OA sash, I would suggest the OA History Timeline:
I hope this helps to bring clarity to this odd piece of OA trivia.
Ray