Post Your Granted, Assumed or Desired Arms

**cryerelizabeth** · 1st August 11, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Speaking of ink, here is my tattoo (just have one) of the Clan Macpherson badge, depicting the crest of my Chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie. I've had since 2009, simple black and white design based off of Roderick Gordon Macpherson's (of Canada) spectacular heraldric artwork.

Slainte,

I've been thinking about getting a tattoo like that of my family's closest scottish clan relation, but I don't know if I have to have permision to use the crest or not... I still think it would be awesome though.

**Mike_Oettle** · 1st August 11, 08:16 AM

I like the simplicity of the arms, Steven.
Regards,
Mike

**Cygnus** · 1st August 11, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

I like the simplicity of the arms, Steven.
Regards,
Mike

Me too! Your badge is also very interesting as it has the appearance of a traditional Japanese mon. Is that intentional?

**saharris** · 1st August 11, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

Me too! Your badge is also very interesting as it has the appearance of a traditional Japanese mon. Is that intentional?

Yes! As a matter of fact, the badge is inspired by the mon of my dojo. I'm very glad that it's evident.

**saharris** · 1st August 11, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

I like the simplicity of the arms, Steven.
Regards,
Mike

Thank you (and it only took me 3-1/2 years of redesigns to get it right)

**Mike_Oettle** · 1st August 11, 10:45 AM

Sometimes inspiration takes a long, slow course, Mike.
I remember reading about a man who had written more than 500 pages about his experiences on a metro train system, and then reduced it to a haiku:

The faces of those people in that crowd
Petals on a wet, black bough.

Regards,
Mike

**creagdhubh** · 1st August 11, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by cryerelizabeth

I've been thinking about getting a tattoo like that of my family's closest scottish clan relation, but I don't know if I have to have permision to use the crest or not... I still think it would be awesome though.

You may certainly use the crest of your chief, encircled by the belt and buckle, but not the chief's crest alone, as it belongs to him and to no other. The clan "badge" you see on my right shoulder, is that of the Clan Macpherson, to which I belong, am a staunch supporter, and play an active role. The Scottish Wildcat you see, is particularly positioned according to the personal preferences of my Chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD. The crest (as with all armorial bearings) is unique to the armiger and cannot be used by others. Clansmen and clanswomen of the Clan Macpherson are authorised to wear the chief's crest, only if it is encircled by the belt and buckle, with Cluny's (the Macphersons) motto inscribed.

You may certainly do this (have a tattoo done) with the recognised and offical "badge" of your closest clan affiliation, or perhaps your own armorial bearings should you be an armiger-properly registered with the Lyon Court in Edinburgh of course!

Cheers,

**Cygnus** · 1st August 11, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by cryerelizabeth

I've been thinking about getting a tattoo like that of my family's closest scottish clan relation, but I don't know if I have to have permision to use the crest or not... I still think it would be awesome though.

I can understand your hesitation, what with clan affiliation being associated with your surname. The impression that I get from your comment is that your surname isn't one normally associated with a Scottish clan. If that is the case, find the clan to which you are most closely related and try and find the contact information for that clan's chief. You can then write a formal letter asking to be included in the clan's membership. Most of the current clan chiefs seem to be very reasonable and approachable, and I highly doubt that they would turn away a request from a relative to join their clan!

With the chief's welcome and blessing, you could then get the tattoo you want with no worries about whether or not that particular clan "accepts" you.

**creagdhubh** · 1st August 11, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

I can understand your hesitation, what with clan affiliation being associated with your surname. The impression that I get from your comment is that your surname isn't one normally associated with a Scottish clan. If that is the case, find the clan to which you are most closely related and try and find the contact information for that clan's chief. You can then write a formal letter asking to be included in the clan's membership. Most of the current clan chiefs seem to be very reasonable and approachable, and I highly doubt that they would turn away a request from a relative to join their clan!

With the chief's welcome and blessing, you could then get the tattoo you want with no worries about whether or not that particular clan "accepts" you.

Well said, with some very good advice!

**Mike_Oettle** · 1st August 11, 01:57 PM

Many thanks, Kyle, for pointing out the difference between the clan chief’s personal emblem (the crest) and the clansman’s badge (the crest within a strap and buckle).
Time and again I see that people trip over the distinction.
But I should also mention that for people not resident in Scotland, there is no need for them to obtain a grant from Lord Lyon.
In Scotland, Lyon has the power to deface irregular arms.
It is, however, preferable that arms be registered with some authority (even if it is a private association in the US), simply to ensure that they are in fact unique.
Regards,
Mike