Color Corps

What do the different colors of capes and feathers mean?

The Color Corps is the most visible part of the Fourth Degree and the most recognizable part of the Knights of Columbus. The Color Corps represents the Assembly and the Order in patriotic and religious ceremonies, such as parades and confirmations, as well as in wake services for departed Sir Knights.

What do the different colors of capes and feathers mean?

The basic uniform of the Fourth Degree is a black tuxedo, cummerbund and bow tie, a white shirt, black shoes and socks, and the social baldric. The member may wear the Fourth Degree lapel pin, a current jewel of office and any approved miniature jewel denoting a past or former office that the member has held.

A color corpsman wears the service baldric in lieu of the social baldric and a sword which is attached to the service baldric. He also wears a black cape lined red and a chapeau (a naval style hat) with a white ostrich feather. Persons in other positions in the Fourth Degree may wear different color-lined capes or feather as follows:

Office/position	Cape color	Feather color
Assembly commander	Purple	Purple
Faithful Navigator*	White	White
District Marshall	Green	Green
Master*	Gold	Gold
Vice Supreme Master*	Blue	Blue
*and past or former such officers

Rules for Color Corps Requests

Except for wake services, the Master must give prior approval for all public appearances of the Assembly’s color corps. This means that requests must be submitted in writing to the Assembly commander, S.K. Steve Szabo, PGK, DD, at least thirty days in advance of the scheduled event.

Color corps appearances on Church property (such as confirmations and statue dedications) must be with the consent of the pastor.

Last revised September 26, 2005.