Cockade (Fr. cocarde, or coquarde), an ornament or knot of ribbon or rosette of leather, worn either as a military or naval decoration, or as the badge of a political party. Cockades made of ribbons of the national colours were worn by soldiers during the wars of the 18th century, the white and red being united in the combined army of France and Spain. In 1767 an authoritative regulation was issued that every French soldier should wear a cockade of white stuff; and in 1782 cockades were prohibited to all but soldiers. From this time till the Revolution the cockade was an exclusively military badge; and, both in France and England, 'to mount the cockade' was synonymous with becoming a soldier. After the Revolution, the tricorder ribbon took the place of the white cockade.
In England, after the expulsion of the Stuart family, the white cockade became the distinctive mark of the adherents of the exiled house, in opposition to the orange of Nassau and the black of Hanover; it is a favourite theme in Jacobite songs. The black cockade, to be seen on the hats of officers' servants, was unknown in Britain till the accession of the House of Hanover, and was then introduced by George I. from his German dominions. It seems to be understood that the right to use it belongs not only to naval and military officers, but also to the holders of some offices of dignity under the crown, including privy-councillors, officers of state, supreme judges, &c., and some would extend it to deputy-lieutenants. The privilege is one of which the law takes no cognisance. See BADGE.