OUR TRADITIONS
In the early days of the Fraternity, the founders chose recognizable objects that would represent the spirit of the Cardinal Principles, Leadership, Friendship and Service. They selected items of historical and traditional value and notability. The meaning and definitions of these symbols have not changed and likely never will.
Forget-me-Not
The official flower of APO is the Forget-me-Not. A perennial flower with royal blue blossoms. It is everlasting, always remembered.
Golden Eagle
The 1976 National Convention declared the golden eagle as a Fraternity symbol. The golden eagle symbolizes strength, gracefulness, keenness of vision, and endurance.
Coat of Arms
The ideals of Alpha Phi Omega are embodied in the coat of arms. As everyone who has passed through the ritual knows, the symbolism of the coat of arms stands for the very purpose of brotherhood.
Diamond
The Fraternity jewel is the diamond. The most precious of all gemstones representing brilliance, luster, always increasing in value, and an expression of the greatest gift of love when given.
Service Pin
The service pin, worn by thousands of brothers of Alpha Phi Omega, is the ``Emblem of Campus Service.`` Students and faculty alike recognize and respect the activities for which it stands.
Oak Tree
The sturdy oak is the Fraternity tree. Everyone has probably heard from a parent or mentor at least once the story of the sturdy oak that grew from a small acorn. The oak is stately, sturdy and sheltering.
The APO Brand
The ideals of Alpha Phi Omega are embodied in our coat of arms. As everyone who has passed through the ritual knows, the symbolism of the coat of arms stands for the very purpose of brotherhood. The service pin, worn by thousands of brothers of Alpha Phi Omega, is the “Emblem of Campus Service.“ Students and faculty alike recognize and respect the activities for which it stands.
Everyone has probably heard from a parent or mentor at least once the story of the sturdy oak that grew from a small acorn. The oak is stately, sturdy and sheltering. The 1976 National Convention declared the golden eagle as a new fraternity symbol. The golden eagle symbolizes strength, gracefulness, keenness of vision, and endurance. A perennial flower with royal blue blossoms. It is everlasting, always remembered. The most precious of all gemstones representing brilliance, luster, always increasing in value, and an expression of the greatest gift of love when given.
The color of blue is a royal blue color. It is elegant, a sign of pure deed and thought. A color in the Nation’s flag.
The Torch logo features a torch, the symbol of higher education, with a bowl in the shape of one of the Fraternity pin’s triangular sides. The single flame rising from the bowl has three parts, representing the Fraternity’s unified expression of the three Cardinal Principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service. The torch logo is the primary graphic representation of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity.
The color of gold is called old glory gold. A color also found in the National flag (fringe & tassels). It represents high value, respect, royalty, and a sign of love.