Today as I was researching images to use for a new military patch request, I came across the below article which I found very interesting:
Author: Robert Bell
Patches and badges have been around for many years and most typically for those in the military. Military patches not only establish the personal identity of servicemen but can also represent associations, honors and missions.
In the United States, for example, military badges are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields. They also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments.
In the United States, each of the five military services maintains a separate series of badges for its service members. Various regulations exist on how badges are displayed, how many may be worn at one time, and whether or not such badges may be worn on the uniform of more than one branch of service.
Well-recognized examples of military patches are the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia or SSI. In the US Army, the SSI is worn on the left upper arm, just below the uniform's shoulder seam. The SSI is attached with a Velcro backing and is then centered on the arm. The most common place for the SSI to be worn is on the shoulder of the uniform, however it is also sometimes worn on other places, notably when the soldier's body armor covers the shoulders.
By World War II, all United States army groups, field armies, corps, and divisions, as well as all major Army commands, had unique SSI. These SSI would often be created with symbolism alluding to the unit's formation. Most US formations had unique patches, which varied greatly in size and makeup, with the exception of US Armored divisions, all of which adopted the same patch (a yellow, red and blue triangle with a symbol for Armour in the middle). Each division then included its number on the patch to denote it. A few of the divisions added their unit nickname onto the patches, but most did not.
Subdued patches and insignia were introduced during the Vietnam War and were made mandatory for wear on the field uniform starting July 1, 1970.
For the British Army, chevron patches are worn on the sleeve to establish rank. The chevrons and their current use for NCOs originate from the time of the Napoleonic Wars in 1802. Chevrons were originally worn on the collar, but were moved to the shoulder boards in 1880 when the system of crowns and stars was reorganized. In addition to the shoulder badges, officers' ranks were also reflected in the amount and pattern of gold lace worn on the cuffs of the full-dress tunic.
Military insignia is full of metaphor, from the colors used to the types of images. For instance with color, white or silver means peace and sincerity, yellow or gold, generosity, blue stands for loyalty, red for fortitude and green for loyalty. Heraldic lines include the Nebulee or Nebuly, which stands for the sea or water. Engrailed and invected is for earth or land. Indented means fire. Dancette is water. Insignias called Ordinaries include: Chief - Dominion and authority; Cross - Chevron - Protection; Fess - Military belt or girdle of honor; Bar - For "one who sets the bar of conscience, religion and honor against angry passions; Pale - Military strength and fortitude; Canton - Bearing of honor; Bend - Defense or protection; Battune Sinister - Marks a royal descent that is barred by illegitimacy from succession to the throne; Orle or Tressure - Preservation or protection; Flasques - Given by a king for virtue and learning, and especially for service in embassage; Voiders - Given to gentlewomen who have deserved highly; Bordure or Border - Frequently adopted as a "difference" between relatives bearing the same arms; Gyron - Unity.
What about animals? They also have meaning. They include: Lion - Deathless courage; Tiger - Great fierceness and valor when enraged to combat; one whose resentment will be dangerous if aroused; Bear - Ferocity in the protection of kindred; Wolf - Denotes valiant captains that do in the end gain their attempts after long sieges and hard enterprises. One whom it is dangerous to assail or thwart; Rhinoceros - Great ferocity when aroused; Elephant - Courage and strength; Leopard - Valiant and hardy warrior; Panther - As a lion may be said to signify a brave man, so may a panther a beautiful woman, which, though fierce, is very tender and loving to her young, and will defend it with the hazard of her life; Horse - Readiness for all employments for king and country; Bull or Ox - Valor and magnanimity - and so on.
With military patches come expert designers configuring patterns and symbolism into their work. Unit patches go through alterations now and then in the manner they are put on and utilized. The problem with military patches and their significance is the fact such patches can be reproduced. For the United States, protecting reproduction is The Institute of Heraldry, whom is in charge of providing information to patch suppliers on United States Army heraldic entitlements. A hallmark is actually assigned to each certified manufacturer of military insignia to indicate which manufacturer made which product. This means that it is illegal for manufacturers to create designs on their patches that incorporate the likeness of an official Army heraldic item. The Institute of heraldry also decides how military insignia is displayed, and how and why it is worn.
While you cannot copy the design of a military patch, you can certainly create your own patch with its own symbolism and meaningfulness to you personally. In designing your own embroidered patch you can show your artistic talents. And if something as important as your own personal symbolism and artistic talents are combined, then they most certainly should be done through the embroidered patch method rather than choosing a plastic model. With an embroidered patch, your design could be around for hundreds of years, used and reused as you so choose, reproduced and shared with others. It is your choice.
A few days ago I finished up our annual report for Lions Club International regarding all the custom lions club pins that we produced in 2010. The final results of this report shocked Craig and I to say the least. We are so busy throughout the year helping each individual Lions Club or District Governor that we do not often get to stop and step back to see the overall picture of our work. 
Over the past 10 years we have created hundreds if not thousands of custom Lions club pins for Lions clubs, Lion district governors, and Lion anniversaries. But over this last year we have added new products to our custom product offerings for Lions members. These products include custom Lions club patches like the one you see to the left. These Lions patches are great inexpensive giveaways for use to promote your club accomplishments and activities. We offer dye sublimated printed Lions patches (like you see here) as well as traditional custom embroidered Lions patches. The size of these Lions patches can be as small as 1” all the way up to 18”! Contact us today so we can stitch your idea into reality!
Our customer testimonials are a great reminder that these Lions Club products are most than just a pin, patch or coin – they are a team building piece that Lions Club members wear and share with pride. Several Lions Club leaders are using these products not only for fundraising, but also to recognize those involved for their extraordinary work. We are especially excited about the tradition our custom Lions Club Coins are creating among members. Below is a testimonial we wanted to share from Jack Weist about a custom coin we created for him to use as an award. 
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