Colors (motorcycling)

Sample layout of colors and patch meanings:
1) Club name
2) Club logo + MC (motorcycle club) patches
3) Country, territory, region, or city
4) "1%" patch identifying outlaw clubs
5) Special title(s), nickname(s), chapter name, charter name
6) Club office/rank
7) Side rocker – regional chapter name, charter name

Colors are the insignia, or "patches", worn by motorcycle club members on cut-off vests to identify membership of their club and territorial location.[1] Club patches have been worn by many different groups since the 1960s. They are regarded by many to symbolize an elite amongst motorcyclists and the style has been widely copied by other subcultures and commercialized.[2][3]

Colors are considered to represent "significant markers of the socialization" of new members to clubs, rank and present a dominant symbol of identity and are marked with related symbolism.[4][5] They can be embroidered patches sewn onto clothing or stenciled in paint, the primary symbol being the back patch of the club's insignia or logo and generally remain the property of the club. Wearing such clothing is referred to as "flying one's colors". The term has its roots in military history, originating with regimental colours.[6]

  1. ^ Ferrell, Jeff; Sanders, Clinton R. (1995). Cultural Criminology. Northeastern University Press. ISBN 978-1-55553-236-9.
  2. ^ Rollin, Bernard E.; Gray, Carolyn M.; Mommer, Kerri; Pineo, Cynthia, eds. (2006). Harley-Davidson and Philosophy: Full-Throttle Aristotle. Popular Culture and Philosophy. Vol. 18. Open Court. ISBN 978-0-8126-9589-2.
  3. ^ Schouten, John W.; McAlexander, James H. (June 1995). "Subcultures of Consumption: An Ethnography of the New Biker". Journal of Consumer Research. 22 (1): 43–61. doi:10.1086/209434. JSTOR 2489699.
  4. ^ Thompson, Steven L. (January 2000). "The Arts of the Motorcycle: Biology, Culture, and Aesthetics in Technological Choice". Technology and Culture. 41 (1): 99–115. doi:10.1353/tech.2000.0040. S2CID 110704507.
  5. ^ Quinn, James F.; Forsyth, Craig J. (February 2009). "Leathers and Rolexs: The Symbolism and Values of the Motorcycle Club". Deviant Behavior. 30 (3): 235–265. doi:10.1080/01639620802168700. S2CID 55809830.
  6. ^ Møller, J. Ørstrøm (2000). The End of Internationalism: Or World Governance?. Praeger. ISBN 0-275-96701-8.