Scottish heraldic flavor

[Lachlan09]

May I ask in general, in this day and age, what purpose is there in ordinary individuals getting their own coat of arms ?

[macwilkin]

May I ask in general, in this day and age, what purpose is there in ordinary individuals getting their own coat of arms ?

Oh dear...here we go again. ;-)

T.

[JSFMACLJR]

May I ask in general, in this day and age, what purpose is there in ordinary individuals getting their own coat of arms ?

Might I suggest you do a little research on this. The Heraldry Society of Scotland website would be a great place to start.

[kiltedsawyer]

Might I suggest you do a little research on this. The Heraldry Society of Scotland website would be a great place to start.

Been there, done that, didn't get an answer. You boys can do better than that, answer the question.

[macwilkin]

Been there, done that, didn't get an answer. You boys can do better than that, answer the question.

Because a gentleman can, if he so desires. Any other reason is HIS business, in accordance with his rights in a free society.

Now, may we please get back to the original topic of this thread?

T.

[davidlpope]

May I ask in general, in this day and age, what purpose is there in ordinary individuals getting their own coat of arms ?

Might I suggest you do a little research on this. The Heraldry Society of Scotland website would be a great place to start.

Been there, done that, didn't get an answer. You boys can do better than that, answer the question.

I don't have arms, but I've thought about it quite a bit and I'd like to. Here's why:

1. I'm really an history-junkie at heart. I like flintlock rifles, Old English poetry, and theological debates that started in the 16th century. Matriculating arms would be a tangible connection to a historic system that originated over 900 years ago. To me that is exceedingly "cool". Sort of like wearing a kilt.

2. I'm a big believer in symbols. My Marine officer's sword is a tangible, though outdated (I guess one could argue useless or silly), tie to a warrior ethos that I have inherited and been a part of. Likewise, a grant of arms would be another symbolic tie to a past culture that I have a connection to. Sort of like wearing a kilt.

3. I like things that are passed down in families. I sleep on a metal bedframe that my great-grandfather slept in. I store handsewn quilts made by my great-aunt made in a cedar chest that my grandfather built in high school. I quail hunt with a Browning shotgun that my paternal uncle (too early dead) grew up shooting beside my father. Arms would be something that could originate with me that could be passed down to future generations. Sort of like well-made kilts.

Perhaps not convincing, perhaps very different than the value someone else would put on such things. Just my thoughts on the matter.

Cordially,

David

[kiltedsawyer]

I don't have arms, but I've thought about it quite a bit and I'd like to. Here's why:

1. I'm really an history-junkie at heart. I like flintlock rifles, Old English poetry, and theological debates that started in the 16th century. Matriculating arms would be a tangible connection to a historic system that originated over 900 years ago. To me that is exceedingly "cool". Sort of like wearing a kilt.

2. I'm a big believer in symbols. My Marine officer's sword is a tangible, though outdated (I guess one could argue useless or silly), tie to a warrior ethos that I have inherited and been a part of. Likewise, a grant of arms would be another symbolic tie to a past culture that I have a connection to. Sort of like wearing a kilt.

3. I like things that are passed down in families. I sleep on a metal bedframe that my great-grandfather slept in. I store handsewn quilts made by my great-aunt made in a cedar chest that my grandfather built in high school. I quail hunt with a Browning shotgun that my paternal uncle (too early dead) grew up shooting beside my father. Arms would be something that could originate with me that could be passed down to future generations. Sort of like well-made kilts.

Perhaps not convincing, perhaps very different than the value someone else would put on such things. Just my thoughts on the matter.

Cordially,

David

Good answer. I get it. Thank you.

[davidlpope]

Good answer. I get it. Thank you.

You're very welcome.

David

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

May I ask in general, in this day and age, what purpose is there in ordinary individuals getting their own coat of arms ?

Well, most people coming before one of the granting heraldic authorities (Canada, England, Ireland, or South Africa) do so to strengthen the links between themselves, their children, and other, more distantly related members of their family. A coat of arms becomes, in effect, a technicolor bookmark in their personal family genealogy. Many people see modern society as breaking down the traditional values embodied in the concept of "family", and they turn to heraldry as one way of pulling their kindred closer together.

Given the wide spread interest in genealogy-- more people in the USA are engaged in genealogical pursuits than almost any other past time-- coats of arms have reverted to their original purpose, that of identifying members of families and their relationships to each other.

Finally, in a society where it is becoming increasingly difficult for the ordinary citizen to pass on accumulated wealth from one generation to the next, some view coats of arms as the only thing (besides their name) that they may be able to leave to their posterity.

As far as a utilitarian purpose for heraldry is concerned-- it is perhaps the very best way of marking and identifying property, especially valuable (and highly portable) property. One of the most common uses is as a bookplate-- something more elegant than scrawling one's name across the inside of the cover in ball point pen. The list of ways in which heraldry my be used in the present day is endless, and only limited by the imagination.

[macwilkin]

Well said, David!

I would only add that someone earlier made the suggestion at arms are not "earned", unlike an officer's commission (which forgets that for a long time, commissions were purchased) -- but for many, the symbols on their arms are "earned" -- symbols of their profession, education, civil and military service, membership in civil, religious and chivalric orders -- not only does their arms serve as a tie to their ancestors, as Rathdown mentioned, it also serves as an artists' rendition of their life.

In genealogy, names and dates are only one part of the story -- the details are frequently never told through census records and birth certificates. The blazon of someone's arms can tell us a bit more about that person in terms of the symbolism described above.

Regards,

Todd