Young Pioneers of China

According to the Young Pioneers Constitution, the flag is red, symbolizing the victory of the Revolution; the five-pointed star in the middle symbolizes the leadership of the Communist Party, while the torch symbolizes brightness down the path of communism.

The Pioneer Battalion flag is 90 x 120 cm, while the flag of each Company is 60 x 80 cm, with an isosceles triangle (60 x 20 cm) removed from the right side. The removed triangle corresponds to the red scarf worn by Young Pioneers.

The emblem consists of the star, the torch, and a banner reading "The Young Pioneers of China".

The red scarf (红领巾 hónglǐngjīn) is the only uniform item. Young Pioneers are often referred to simply as "Red Scarves"; the investiture ceremony often consists of new members having their scarves tied for them by existing members. Children wearing red scarves are a ubiquitous sight in China.

The red scarf is generally worn around the neck and tied, with no woggle. Some local groups also come up with other uniform items.

The Young Pioneers Constitution explains that the scarf corresponds to the missing triangle on the Pioneer Company flag. The Constitution also explains that the red of the scarf comes from the blood sacrificed by martyrs of the Revolution, and that all members should therefore wear the scarf with reverence.

The Young Pioneers Salute consists of bending the right arm and raising the right hand directly above the head, the palm flat and facing downwards, and the fingers together. It symbolizes that the interests of the People supersede all.

The Motto (and Summons) is:

• Chinese: 准备着，为共产主义事业而奋斗!
• (pinyin: Zhǔnbèizhe, wèi gòngchǎnzhǔyì shìyè ér fèndòu!)
• Translation: "To struggle for the cause of Communism, be prepared!"

To which the response is:

• Chinese: 时刻准备着!
• (pinyin: Shíkè zhǔnbèizhe!)
• Translation: "Always prepared!"

The stipulated conduct of Young Pioneers, according to the constitution, is:

• Chinese: 诚实、勇敢、活泼、团结
• (pinyin: chéngshí, yǒnggǎn, huópō, tuánjié)
• Translation: Honesty, Courage, Vivacity, Unity

The Young Pioneers pledge is:

• Chinese: 我是中国少年先锋队队员。我在队旗下宣誓：我热爱中国共产党，热爱祖国，热爱人民，好好学习，好好锻炼，准备着：为共产主义事业贡献力量。
• (pinyin: Wǒ shì Zhōngguó Shàonián Xiānfēngduì duìyuán. Wǒ zài Duìqí xià xuānshì: wǒ rè'ài Zhōngguó Gòngchándǎng, rè'ài zǔguó, rè'ài rénmín, hǎohǎo xúexí, hǎohǎo duànliàn, zhǔnbèizhe: wèi gòngchǎnzhǔyì shìyè gòngxiàn lìliàng.)
• Translation: I am a member of the Young Pioneers of China. Under the Flag of the Young Pioneers I swear: I will love the Communist Party of China, the motherland, and the people; I will study hard, strengthen myself [lit. exercise well], and prepare thus: to contribute my strength to the cause of communism.

The Young Pioneers song is We are the heirs of communism (Chinese: 我们是共产主义接班人; pinyin: Wǒmen shì Gòngchǎnzhǔyì Jiēbānrén). It was originally the theme song of Heroic Little Eighth-Routers (Chinese: 英雄小八路; pinyin: Yīngxióng Xiǎo Bālù), a 1961 film about the 1958 Second Taiwan Strait Crisis and a real-life group of children who stayed on the frontlines of coastal Fujian in order to help the war effort against Kuomintang forces. Listen to the song here.

Similar to other members of the Pioneer movement worldwide, the full dress uniform is white or blue shirt or polo with undershirt (or skirts for girls) and pants with the red scarf and badges attached to the shirt, with an optional headdress such as a beret. Sometimes even school uniforms are used, the addition being the red scarf, the optional headdress cap and the organizational and rank badges. During sports events YPs wear athletic uniforms.