The History and Meaning of Dog Tag Necklaces
Written by Gemma on May 16, 2024 | 0 Comments
Originally a functional item in a military uniform, dog tags are now worn by soldiers and civilians alike, either as an identification tool or as an iconic piece of jewellery.
Whether you enjoy the strength or symbolism of the design, are curious about their origins, or simply love chunky jewellery, read on to find out more about the history of dog tags and why men and women the world over wear them today.
What are dog tag necklaces?
First, what are they exactly? Dog tag necklaces are typically small plates, often made of corrosion resistant metal, that are worn on a chain or cord around the neck. They have a strong military association but also function as jewellery for men and women.
Where did dog tag necklaces come from ?
Though the term “dog tag” can be traced back to US soldiers in the 20th century, and farther still to the “Hundemarken” or dog tags of Prussian soldiers in the 19th Century, the idea of wearing some form of identification in a military setting is a very ancient one indeed.
Roman Legionaries sported an early form of a dog tag
Photo Credit: Hans Splinter (CC-BY-ND)
Spartans reportedly carved their name into wooden “tags” that they tied to their left wrist and wore into battle. Roman legionnaires were given a “signaculum” that was worn in a leather pouch suspended around the neck on enrolment. This disc made of lead bore the name of the recruit and their assigned legion, a symbol of their commitment to training and service as a Roman soldier.
Where did dog tag necklaces get their name?
The original dog tags started out as just that - a metal tag you would attach to a dog’s collar to identify them. This really took off in the 1800s and was widely recognised when the American Kennel Club required dog owners to register their hounds 1n 1884 and issued them with ID tags.
Photo Credit: Public Domain
These tags typically included the dog's name, address, and owner's contact information. So it is easy to see why the name was adopted by soldiers in the late 1800’s and early 20th Century. Perhaps it was a wry commentary on how soldiers were treated, but given the parallels with their own ID tags, the name stuck.
What is the symbolism and significance of dog tag necklaces?
Dog tags remain part of the military uniform in many places to this day. Military dog tags are hugely symbolic and sentimental items for a relatively small piece of metal. They signify a life of service and at times sacrifice. For family member of a deceased soldier, a dog tag can serve as a memorial to their life.
The deeply moving artwork made of blank dog tags in a Boston Memorial garden to commemorate service members killed in war.
Photo Credit: Rhododendrites (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Why do people wear dog tag necklaces today?
It's this immense symbolism that saw the dog tag style of necklace “jump” from the military setting to civilian settings. Service people would often gift their dog tags to loved ones when they retired from active duty to show their love and respect. And soldiers' family members might wear their loved ones' tags in memorium on their passing.
With time, this has seen the iconic dog tag necklace adapted into a civilian form, worn for the substance and symbolism it embodies. And not forgetting, some civilians also wear dog tag style jewellery in a similar way to their original function - as medical alert tags with important information to be used in the event of an emergency.
How to wear a dog tag necklace?
The short answer here is of course any way you like! Given they are often substantial pieces with a polished surface, they are ideal pieces to personalise with an engraving of a name, date or short phrase.
They can be worn solo as a striking statement necklace, and are particularly well suited to being worn over a round or crew neck. Or wear them layered with other necklaces on a shorter chain to bring other personal pieces into your look.
Celtic Dog Tag Necklaces
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Gemma
My Irish Jeweler
Gemma is our head jeweler. She is very passionate about jewelry and watches. Her favorite style is Tree of Life "because family and roots are so important to me".
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