Kilt colors explained?

[Jopalis]

I saw one thread where a woman was asking what the colors in her Irish tartan stood for. For example... colors representing the Irish and the Protestants, etc. Where could I find out the meaning in the tartan colors of my family counties/province? I am doing a doll for my daughter for school and it would be nice if she could explain the colors used in the tartan. Thanks!!!

[macwilkin]

I saw one thread where a woman was asking what the colors in her Irish tartan stood for. For example... colors representing the Irish and the Protestants, etc. Where could I find out the meaning in the tartan colors of my family counties/province? I am doing a doll for my daughter for school and it would be nice if she could explain the colors used in the tartan. Thanks!!!

It really depends on the tartan; while some district/state tartans do have symbolic meaning to the colours, others do not. Most of the Irish county tartans do not, but are rather "fashion" tartans designed by the House of Edgar in Scotland. They have become de facto county tartans because of their popularity, but none have been officially adopted by any county government agency to my knoweldge.

There is another line of Irish tartans based on the county's arms.

You may be refering to the Irish Republic's tri-colour flag, which is supposed to symbolise Catholics (green), Protestants (orange) and peace between them (white).

Regards,

Todd

[Bugbear]

Welcome. cajunscot answered most of it, but you might want to tell us which tartan you are talking about. Hope you enjoy the forum.

[JerseyLawyer]

Matt Newsome and some others are probably more experts on this than me, but I suspect that for older tartans, the colors don't stand for anything in particular. Modern tartans will frequently say, "Blue for the sea/river/lake X, red for the blood of patriots" etc., but I think that varies by tartan?

Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree with this, though.

[macwilkin]

Matt Newsome and some others are probably more experts on this than me, but I suspect that for older tartans, the colors don't stand for anything in particular. Modern tartans will frequently say, "Blue for the sea/river/lake X, red for the blood of patriots" etc., but I think that varies by tartan?

Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree with this, though.

You're spot on, Jersey.

Assigning symbolism to colours in a tartan is a relatively modern innovation. One of the first examples would be the Nova Scotia district tartan, designed in the 1950s. Most other district tartans have followed this prescedent, as well as other more recently-designed tartans.

Regards,

Todd

[Ayin McFye]

There are many of us on this site that not only enjoy researching but having become rather good at it. If you let us know what family your trying to research we might be able to help.

Also. Welcome to Xmarks!

[cacunn]

Deleted by CACUNN.

[davedove]

I would assume, and that is always dangerous, that for the very old tartans the the colors are based on the plants and minerals available in area where the wool was dyed. Even though Scotland is a relatively small country it would not be uncommon for someone never to go more than 5 miles from home. Therefore, the plants and minerals that make up the base for dyes would be local and may differ greatly from glen to glen.

But as always I await the response from the more knowledgeables on the site.

I would venture to say that is pretty accurate. Of course, those with more wealth would have access to more expensive colors, but they would be in the definite minority.

[Monkey@Arms]

I saw one thread where a woman was asking what the colors in her Irish tartan stood for. For example... colors representing the Irish and the Protestants, etc. Where could I find out the meaning in the tartan colors of my family counties/province? I am doing a doll for my daughter for school and it would be nice if she could explain the colors used in the tartan. Thanks!!!

As is oft the case, Matt Newsome of the Tartan Museum has written an informative article on the subject of colors in tartans, which you can find here.

Best regards,

Jake

[macwilkin]

As is oft the case, Matt Newsome of the Tartan Museum has written an informative article on the subject of colors in tartans, which you can find here.

Best regards,

Jake

Which confirms my post above, Jake.

T.