ETYM Late Lat. bagea, bagia, sign, prob. of German origin; cf. AS. beág, beáh, bracelet, collar, crown, OS. bôg- in comp., AS. bűgan to bow, bend, German biegen. Related to Bow to bend.
1. An emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies one's status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.).
2. Any feature that is regarded as a sign of status (a particular power or quality or rank).