ESA Rituals:
Opening Ritual - (Given by
the President) Sisters of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, we meet again to pledge
ourselves anew to the vows of our ritual which we accepted in the
golden glow of a candle-lighted room. Let us be ever mindful of the
responsibilities that we pledged to our sorority, keep faith with
ourselves and our sisters, be tolerant and sincere, and ever worthy to
wear the badge that symbolizes virtue, honor, truthfulness,
friendliness, and loveliness.
Closing
Ritual - (Members form a circle with crossed hands) Eternal
Father, master of all good works, guide and direct us that we may remain
steadfast in our hearts and faithful to our pledge. May we be reminded
that graciousness, poise, and friendliness is our goal; and as we go our
separate ways, to ever hold aloft the ray from the lamp of learning that
those who follow in our footsteps may be guided by its light.
ESA Flower:
"Rich in color, perfect in form,
carrying the golden promise of spring, emblematic of noble thought."
The flower of ESA is the yellow jonquil, a member of the narcissus
family. The jonquil with its tiny, perfect, yellow trumpets is the most
fragrant of the narcissus family. The Greeks loved them. It was in
ancient Greece that the naricissus was first associated with the coming
of spring and was referred to as "Persephone's (daughter of Zeus and
Demeter) flower."
ESA Colors:
The ESA colors are blue, which
signifies fidelity to purpose and loyalty to ideals; and gold, which is
symbolic of achievement and reflects the everlasting life of our vows.
The Crest:
The crest of ESA is a flat-topped
shield enhanced above by a lamp and below by a streamer featuring the
letters ESA. The shield is divided through the middle by a wide chevron
(an inverted "V") containing six candles. The apex of the chevron is
joined to the top of the shield by a bar dividing the upper half into
sections. In the upper right corner is a jonquil; the upper left corner
features an open book; and in the lower part of the shield, below the
chevron, appear the clasped hands of friendship. The six candles of the
crest are symbolic of: 1) God, 2) country, 3) home, 4) cause, 5)
fellowman, and 6) work.
ESA Motto:
"All for one and one for all."
Our Watch
Words:
In ancient days, when students from
many lands first sat at the feet of philosophers, they were able to meet
on a common ground by speaking the classic language of learning -
Greek. It is fitting, therefore, that we should have chosen the Greek
Alphabet and our three watchworlds from the Greek language. Epsilon
Sigma Alpha, translated freely, means "Pursuit of Learning."
ESA Pins:
Each new member receives the Grecian
Lamp. The Lamp is a symbol of our pursuit of knowledge.
The Jewel Pin, signifying full membership in ESA is symbolic of the
ideals of our organization. It is a diamond in shape, and is inherently
precious to those who wear it.
