Significance of white in a tartan

[Jock Scot]

Interesting to read the previous post from OCR. From a purely theoretical perspective, as religion of any sort is of no interest to me whatsoever. Are these various colours worn by all assorted Christian denominations, or by just some and worn at an appropriate time? I must say that I have never noticed when I have brushed shoulders with the clergy at weddings and so on. Perhaps its not a UK thing?

Now, back to kilts and tartans!

[ShaunMaxwell]

Interesting to read the previous post from OCR. From a purely theoretical perspective, as religion of any sort is of no interest to me whatsoever. Are these various colours worn by all assorted Christian denominations, or by just some and worn at an appropriate time? I must say that I have never noticed when I have brushed shoulders with the clergy at weddings and so on. Perhaps its not a UK thing?

Now, back to kilts and tartans!

Jock:

I can’t speak with any authority on churches other than my own, but my impression is that it’s just by some, and those being the Catholic or churches whose services are similar to/derived from those of the Catholic church (i.e., Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. in which the clergy wear vestments, etc.). The church my family attends derives from the Restoration Movement (which has its roots in Scotland, by the way) and is not “high church”, so none of this for us. Not likely be seen in evangelical or more fundamentalist churches.

Now back to kilts and tartans…

Cheers,

SM

[Tomo]

Now, back to kilts and tartans!

Another gem:

• Black kilts are commonly worn for formal or solemn occasions like military events or funerals. The black color carries a sense of dignity and solemnity.
• Blue kilts, particularly lighter shades of blue, are considered more casual and everyday wear. Blue was a common dye color that was historically available.
• Green kilts can represent the wearer's connection to the land and nature. Earthier, muted greens are traditional.
• Red kilts may indicate the wearer's association with the military or a particular regiment, as red was a popular color for military uniforms.
• White kilts are rare and typically only worn for very formal, ceremonial occasions, representing purity and honor.

[Jock Scot]

Tomo.

Are you being serious? Surely not? Forgive my incredulous thoughts about your post. Surely people , particularly those with a connection to a particular clan wear that tartan, for any occasion and the colours are irrelevant? That is why us traditionalists don't have tartan collections in kilt form and just wear their Clan tartan.

[Tomo]

Absolutely not being serious - but clearly someone, somewhere must believe this guff.

Had me scratching my head - so if I wear my clan tartan, as it's red that might imply some sort of military association (despite many regimental kilts being green and blue) - but if I wear the hunting version of my tartan that shows my connection to the land and nature - really!!

[OC Richard]

Another gem:

Is that something you came across in an article or interview?

Or was it your own exercise in absurdity?

Because if somebody wrote that or stated that in seriousness it has to be added to our growing list of ridiculous claims.

[FossilHunter]

Interesting to read the previous post from OCR. From a purely theoretical perspective, as religion of any sort is of no interest to me whatsoever. Are these various colours worn by all assorted Christian denominations, or by just some and worn at an appropriate time? I must say that I have never noticed when I have brushed shoulders with the clergy at weddings and so on. Perhaps its not a UK thing?

Now, back to kilts and tartans!

Without getting into the theological underpinnings of liturgical colors, I think many Christian denominations common to Scotland would use them if available. As was mentioned above, most are derived from Roman Catholic liturgical colors. Catholic and Episcopal/Anglican churches would use them.

I’m not sure about Presbyterians. It’s possible that you’ve never noticed the colors because the events you would go to wouldn’t necessitate them as a wedding is not a regular Sunday service. Assuming the weddings you’ve attended are Catholic or Episcopal, the priest was probably wearing white.

Here’s a photo of the Archbishop of Canterbury and another priest wearing the green liturgical color of the Ordinary season so I assume it’s practiced in the UK as it is anywhere, possibly even more so.

[wcsgorilla]

Someone obviously started these myths but it's usually impossible to find the source. By contrast, I think I've managed to trace the source of the 'tartan was banned after Culloden/as part of Proscription' myth to an Annex in a book published in 1960.

Wait, what? I know I am going to hate myself for this but… that isn’t true??

[RGM1]

While I can imagine colors having significance intended by the designer of a tartan. That significance is their viewpoint and the rest of us don't necessarily get it or care.

[Tomo]

Is that something you came across in an article or interview?

Or was it your own exercise in absurdity?

Because if somebody wrote that or stated that in seriousness it has to be added to our growing list of ridiculous claims.

Found on the internet - someones' answer to a question on the significance of colours in tartan