Should I change my avatar?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I wonder if I should change my avatar. My avatar is a personal icon that I designed for my own use and I use it on several websites - the lion's head was taken from the clansman crest badge.

Unless you have inadvertently adopted your chief's badge (as opposed to his crest) and placed it on his livery colours, I really don't see any compelling heraldic reason to change your avatar. That said, you should not use it in any other form or medium except as a logotype on electronic forums. For example, if you were to use it on writing paper, business cards, or a flag, then it would take on a distinctly heraldic character, and that would be (at the very least) socially awkward.

[ardchoille]

Unless you have inadvertently adopted your chief's badge (as opposed to his crest) and placed it on his livery colours, I really don't see any compelling heraldic reason to change your avatar. That said, you should not use it in any other form or medium except as a logotype on electronic forums. For example, if you were to use it on writing paper, business cards, or a flag, then it would take on a distinctly heraldic character, and that would be (at the very least) socially awkward.

This is what I was worried about. I don't use it anywhere other than the internet and I don't even know our Chief's livery colors. I'll keep it as is.. after some thought, I don't think I'm infringing anywhere.

[macwilkin]

Unless you have inadvertently adopted your chief's badge (as opposed to his crest) and placed it on his livery colours, I really don't see any compelling heraldic reason to change your avatar. That said, you should not use it in any other form or medium except as a logotype on electronic forums. For example, if you were to use it on writing paper, business cards, or a flag, then it would take on a distinctly heraldic character, and that would be (at the very least) socially awkward.

Rathdown's post is the answer to your question, INMHO.

T.