Finding a clan badge

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 23rd September 05, 04:56 PM

MAc,

As usual, a well explained and informed post. I was actually able to understand each of the components is a much better fashion than I had with other posts and research of my own.

RJI

**yoippari** · 23rd September 05, 05:29 PM

Ok, I think I get it now. Badges are not all that formal, just a sign of "I'm a (insert family name here)". I really am not sure how coat of arms got brought up with this but I don't really have any interest in a coat of arms, just knowing what badge would be the most appropriate.

St Andrew's cross would not be my first choice but getting into religion vs catholicism vs christianity. I would much rather have a simple "I'm a christian".

**macwilkin** · 23rd September 05, 06:51 PM

Ok, I think I get it now. Badges are not all that formal, just a sign of "I'm a (insert family name here)". I really am not sure how coat of arms got brought up with this but I don't really have any interest in a coat of arms, just knowing what badge would be the most appropriate.

In order to understand the symbolism behind a clansman's badge in Scottish heraldy, it is necessary to discuss coats-of-arms and the peculiars of Scottish heraldry.

St Andrew's cross would not be my first choice but getting into religion vs catholicism vs christianity. I would much rather have a simple "I'm a christian".

The St. Andrew's Cross is the national symbol of Scotland, and a "non-denominational" one as well -- as I said in my earlier post, it is found on the national flag, and is worn by many as a sign of their Scottish heritage, regardless of denomination.

Apologies for the confusion. It was not my intention to offend.

T.

**yoippari** · 24th September 05, 04:13 PM

I'm pretty hard to offend. You havn'e come close.

I'm slowly taking this all in, badges, crests, heraldry, a lot of it is completely new to me. So the St. Andrew's Cross badge is basicly a "I'm Scottish" badge?

**macwilkin** · 24th September 05, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by yoippari

I'm pretty hard to offend. You havn'e come close.

I'm slowly taking this all in, badges, crests, heraldry, a lot of it is completely new to me. So the St. Andrew's Cross badge is basicly a "I'm Scottish" badge?

You've got it. Scottish soldiers have worn the St. Andrew's Cross in one form or another on their tunics for centuries. Here is an article I wrote for Scottish History Online with the story of the Saltire:

http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/...e/saltire.html

And another good article:

http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/Scotland/saltire.html

A Thistle is also appropriate, since the Thistle is another national symbol of Scotland -- legend says that a thistle saved a group of Scots from marauding Vikings when one of the Norsemen planted his big foot on the thistle, causing him to screm and awaken the sleeping Scottish forces.

You might want to take a look at one of the Xmarks kilt pins -- Bob C. is using it as a cap badge on his bonnet, and it looks good -- it is a Saltire on a Celtic knot wreath, very nice.

Cheers,

Todd