My first accessory/My Tattoo! Do you have any

[obuchiteck]

Here is a link to check out: http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/l...=Content.show&

Now whether or not you decide to keep the Arms (shield part) is up to you. Personally I would stick with the Crest/Badge, but that's me. When I got my tattoo I just got the badge. My brother who got his tattoo at the same time got the Grant motto done as a band around his arm.

OK here’s what I’m going to do. I’m actually going to petition for the right to wear the Coat of arms. Hey, what’s a little paperwork. If I get the right that would be pretty cool, if I don’t, well I’ll deal with it.

As of right now my brothers have took time off and are spending money to get here. It’s as if everything is already I motion, so to change things right now would be a bit of a pain.

[Dirka Skene]

Nice design! Can't wait to see the finished tattoo.

[anythingshiny]

i too have had the idea of our MacDuff buckle inked on my left calf..right ones got some bike related ink on it...but have actually held off on getting it because of questions related to arms and heraldry vs clan buckle...all in all its my leg and if im in hose ya wouldn't be able to see it anyway..but in my UK with doc martins or vans..im sure somebody somewhere will comment.

[Macman]

I think that will look great. Can you post a pic when it's done?

[Riverkilt]

I've got some ink.

Its your skin/canvas

Follow your heart, not the rules.

Ron

[obuchiteck]

I've got some ink.

Its your skin/canvas

Follow your heart, not the rules.

Ron

I see what your saying, and normally I wouldn’t give two figs about other peeps opinion on what I want to do, and trust me my opinions don’t sway that easy. Nevertheless it’s more about not looking like a dumba** when there’s other options. I just don’t feel like explaining to every purist every time I bump into one why I’m disrespecting.

[macwilkin]

I've got some ink.

Its your skin/canvas

Follow your heart, not the rules.

Ron

That's easy to say when it's not your property.

Arms are private property, as Macman mentioned. There is no such creature as a "family crest". In countries with a heraldic authority, such as Scotland, Canada, etc., the use of arms that are not your own is illegal -- the usurping of arms.

And yes, I know...America does not have a heraldic authority, no rules, freedom of expression and all that. But just because you can doesn't mean you should, if nothing else out of respect for the custom.

I would much rather see Americans "assume" their own arms with no recognition from a heraldic authority than usurp them from someone else. Some heraldic scholars believe that in a nation with no legal heraldic authority, assuming arms is acceptable, although they may not be recognized by the Lyon Court, et al.

Why not use the clansman's badge that you have displayed as your avatar, as Macman mentioned? That is the whole purpose of it, after all, for clansmen and clanswomen to show their loyalty to the chief and clan.

But really, unless you're claiming to be the actual Clan Chief, nobody is going to bother you.

Technically, though, by usurping the Chief's arms, you are doing just that.

I'm really not trying to be a jerk here. I have been a student of heraldry for many years now, and I'm only telling you what I know. Our own Matt Newsome has a great introductory article on his web site about Scottish heraldry that is worth perusing:

http://www.albanach.org/scotheraldry.html

I dealt with this question on a fairly regular basis as a genealogical librarian, and I gave folks the same advice I'm giving you now: while technically, as many have said here, there is nothing "illegal" about here in the USA, it's just not correct. I feel that someone should give the opposing viewpoint in this thread for informational purposes.

But, in the end, it's your decision. I'm not going to attack you for it, or have you hauled in front of the Lyon Court. As a librarian, all I can do is provide the opposing viewpoint for your consideration.

Regards,

Todd

[Colin]

Like I said, don't worry about it. What are they going to do ask you to remove the family crest? Visit the Patriotic section of Bmezine and see how many people have a clan badge or crest tattooed on them. It's really not a big deal at all.

[Monkey@Arms]

Like I said, don't worry about it. What are they going to do ask you to remove the family crest? Visit the Patriotic section of Bmezine and see how many people have a clan badge or crest tattooed on them. It's really not a big deal at all.

What Colin said. Lots of people use coats of arms and the like for all kinds of purposes. You are in Chicago, I don't think the Lord Lyon has jurisidiction there.

Best regards,

Jake

[Macman]

OK here’s what I’m going to do. I’m actually going to petition for the right to wear the Coat of arms. Hey, what’s a little paperwork. If I get the right that would be pretty cool, if I don’t, well I’ll deal with it.

Oliver, I can bet they won't give you permission because it's already somebody else's (John Mackintosh of Mackintosh) arms. To petition for your own arms is a pricey process.
I agree with what people have said about there not being a prohibition against using someone else's arms on this side of the pond, but for me it boils down to respecting my chief's private property. Like Colin (I think) said, though, no one is going to tell you to take it off or throw you in jail. May I suggest using the crest badge only? There are some good examples of X-Markers who have done just that on the tattoos thread.
Still, I respect that it's your decision what to put on your body and whatever you decide, I think you'll be happy with your tat.