Red scarf explained

The red scarf is a neckerchief worn by young pioneers of several countries during the socialist (“communist”) era. In the Soviet Union, it was known as pionerskiy galstuk (пионерский галстук, i.e. 'pioneer's neckerchief'), in Vietnam as khăn quàng đỏ ('red scarf'), in China as hóng lǐngjīn ('red scarf'), in Cuba as pañoleta roja ('red scarf'), and in Hungary as úttörőnyakkendő ('pioneer's neckerchief').

Background

It remains in use by the young pioneer organizations of Yugoslavia,^[1] China,^[2] Vietnam,^[3] North Korea,^[4] and Cuba,^[5] and — unofficially, on occasions — in many other countries^[6], such as Russia, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Belarus, Ukraine, Finland, etc. In China, the scarf is emblematic of the blood of the revolutionary Red Guards, as recalled in Red Scarf Park and the title of Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang about her experiences during the Cultural Revolution. In Cuba, the scarf is worn by schoolchildren from first to sixth grade.^[7]

Other users

A red scarf was introduced into the Republic of Korea Air Force as a device to aid visual location of downed South Korean airmen, it became and remains an iconic item of uniform in the Republic of Korea Air Force.^[8]

Foulards Rouges

A red scarf ('foulard rouge') was adopted as the symbol of those counter-protesting the excesses and violence of the yellow vests movement (gilets jaunes').^[9]

Notes and References

1. News: Pioneers of Yugoslavia.
2. News: After 50 Years, China Youth Remain Mao's Pioneers. Eckholm. Erik. 1999-09-26. The New York Times. 2020-01-14. en-US. 0362-4331.
3. Book: Burr, Rachel. Vietnamese Children in a Changing World. Rutgers University Press. 2006. 39.
4. Web site: What is a Young Pioneer, Anyway?. 2017-08-29. Young Pioneer Tours. en. 2020-01-14.
5. Book: Donovan, Sandy. Teens in Cuba. Capstone Publishers. 2008. 80.
6. News: Soviet flags fly as Kyrgyz Pioneers unite. 2007-09-26. Reuters. 2020-01-14. en.
7. Teens in Cuba Sandy Donovan, Sujay Rao, Alexa L. Sandmann - 2008 "Cuban students usually join the Pioneers in first grade. When a child joins, there is a formal ceremony where the Young Pioneers neckerchief is presented. First-graders receive a red scarf, which they wear through sixth grade. In seventh ..."
8. News: Kim . Hyo-jin. 3 February 2015 . Former Air Force chief of staff dies at 91 . The Korea Times. 4 April 2015.
9. News: 27 January 2019 . 'Red scarves' protest as France's 'yellow vest' movement splinters . . 28 January 2019.