Tatanka Lodge is a very unique lodge because of our coup system. The coup is a necklace that has two
(plastic) eagle claws in the center and beads signifying the accomplishments of an Arrowman. The claws
are used to show an arrowman's elevation and the chapter he belongs to. Ordeal members wear their claws
pointing outward, Brotherhood members turn their claws so that the face together, and Vigil members add
a totem representative of their vigil name between their claws. The chapter color goes on the base of the
claws. Brotherhood ranks such as Firebuilder, Runner, and Keeper of the Sacred Bundle are represented
by painting yellow, sky blue, and white (respectively) bands on the tips of the claws. See the diagrams
below. The Lodge Bylaws and Operations Manual include these and several other topics.
The Order of the Arrow in general uses the
language of the
Lenni Lenape tribe of the
Delaware Indians in many different respects, many of which are ceremonial. A
Lenape to English Dictionary in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format is available via
this link.
| Black Flat |
Call-out team (for speaking parts only) |
| Black Round |
Eagle Scout (worn at the top of the coup because it is
the highest rank in scouting) |
| Blue Cylinder |
Lodge Vice-Chief |
| Blue Flat |
Attending a Vigil Weekend |
| Blue Round |
Lodge Secretary or Treasurer |
| Blue Square |
Lodge Chief |
| Brown Flat |
Summer Camp Staff |
| Brown Round |
5 OA Banquets (trade in 5 purple cylinders) |
| Clear Round |
Elangomat |
| Gold (Brass) Square |
Founder's Award recipient |
| Green Cylinder |
Chapter-Vice Chief |
| Green Flat |
Brotherhood Ceremony (speaking parts only) |
| Green Round |
Chapter Secretary |
| Green Square |
Chapter Chief |
| Orange Cylinder |
Section Conclave attendance |
| Orange Flat |
Membership Recruitment (single per person) |
| Orange Round |
Committee Chairman |
| Orange Square |
Chapter Advisor |
| Orange Square w/White Stripe |
Chapter Assistant Advisor |
| Purple Cylinder |
Banquet Attendance |
| Purple Cylinder w/White Stripe |
Lodge Assistant Advisor |
| Purple Flat |
Pre-Ordeal Ceremony Team (speaking parts only) |
| Purple Round |
Special Service (one set per Arrowman) |
| Purple Square |
5 Fellowship Weekends (trade in 5 yellow cylinders) |
| Purple Square w/White Stripe |
Lodge Advisor |
| Red Cylinder |
Ordeal Master |
| Red Flat |
Taskmaster |
| Red Round |
1 Year membership in the OA |
| Red Square |
5 Years membership in the OA (trade in 5 red rounds) |
| Red Square w/White Stripe |
Presented to an Elangomat upon 50% of his clan completing
Brotherhood |
| Tan Flat |
Unit Election Team (one set per year) |
| Tan Round |
50% Chapter Attendance (one set per year) |
| Turquoise Turtle |
Indian/Mountain Man Outfit at Ceremonies (1 per ceremony, max 2 per weekend) |
| White Cylinder |
Indian Dance Team |
| White Flat |
Ordeal Ceremony Team (speaking parts only) |
| White Round |
Annual Pow-Wow |
| Wood Round |
Member of an official delegation to a National Order of the Arrow Event |
| Yellow Cylinder |
Fellowship Weekend |
| Yellow Flat |
Ceremonial Service (one bead per ceremony) |
| Yellow Round |
1 Long Term Summer/Winter Camp (one set per year) |
| Yellow Square |
5 Long Term Camps (trade in 5 yellow rounds) |
