The Emblem
What do the four Hs stand for?
- Head - Mental Development.
Deeper knowledge and reasoning - Heart - Emotional Development.
Developing interest, appreciation, and wholesome attitudes. - Hands - Skills Development.
Ability to do, skill in doing, and habit of doing. - Health - Physical Development.
Understanding and appreciating a growing and changing body.
How is the 4-H emblem supposed to be displayed?
The 4-H emblem is one of the most recognized logos in America. It has proudly represented America's largest youth organization for decades, and should always be presented and used in a respectful way. The emblem represents a standard of quality in youth development which is experiential in nature, meaning that young people learn all kinds of things through 4-H in a hands-on way.
We encourage 4-H members, club leaders, staff and faculty to use the 4-H emblem visibly and in obvious ways, so as to continue to enhance the 4-H name and emblem's meaning and recognition with the public. Like most organizations, we have some special rules governing use of the 4-H name and emblem.
What is the history of the 4-H emblem?
The first emblem design was a three leaf clover, introduced by O.H. Benson, sometime between 1907-08. From the beginning, the three "Hs" signified Head, Heart and Hands. A four leaf clover design with Hs appeared around 1908.
In 1911, Benson referred to the need for four Hs -- suggesting that they stand for "Head, Heart, Hands, and Hustle ... head trained to think, plan and reason; heart trained to be true, kind and sympathetic; hands trained to be useful, helpful and skillful; and the hustle to render ready service, to develop health and vitality... " In 1911, 4-H club leaders approved the present 4-H design.
O.B. Martin is credited with suggesting that the Hs signify Head, Heart, Hands and Health -- universally used since then. The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924, and Congress passed a law protecting the use of the 4-H name and emblem in 1939, slightly revised in 1948.
What do the 4-H colors mean?
The white in the 4-H flag symbolizes purity. The green, nature's most common color, is emblematic of life, springtime, and youth.
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