Plant Badges

[Semiomniscient]

At the risk of being provocative I would ask why on earth you would want to wear a plant badge? It’s a practice virtually unknown in Scotland and (now here’s the provocative bit) has no historical basis as s way of identifying friend from foe. This tradition is part of the C19th historical revival. I’m not saying that clans might not have had plant emblems, these probably date back to a proto-Celtic period, but they certainly could not have been worn as some form of identification.

I'm unaware that any Scot is going to be my foe on the basis of his ancestry. I believe that we are beyond that kind of historical blood-feuding--so the plant-badge is not used for that... nor was it ever likely to have been. It all appears green enough from a distance and any adherent to a clan will let you know what it is if you can't identify his tartan or tell from his name. :-)
Are you sure they're unheard of in Scotland? They're rarely seen in the US and Canada too. It's not something that is incredibly popular, but it is sure a HECK of a lot better than those turkeys who stick eagle feathers in their bonnets and try to make themselves look like armigers, chieftains, or clan chiefs!
Even if it is relatively new, clan tartans aren't as ancient as we'd like to think either--and are often based on a forged document at that! Nevertheless, we accept it because we wish to--we like it.
It's actually a pretty neat concept and shouldn't be used for formal dress or anything. But for outdoor activities, it's not a bad look typically.

[JSFMACLJR]

Well said, James.

I believe that oftentimes in battle, clansmen would gather a large bunch of the clan's plant and afix it to a pole, to be used as a rallying point in the heat of battle.

[figheadair]

Well said, James.

I believe that oftentimes in battle, clansmen would gather a large bunch of the clan's plant and afix it to a pole, to be used as a rallying point in the heat of battle.

I don't think so. Apart for the fact that there is no evidence to support this, it's just not practical. Imagine trying to afix a large clump of Fir Club Moss to a pole. And even if one could would anyone else recognise it? No, this has all the hall marks of a James Logan, Sobieski Stuart or the like invention.

[macwilkin]

This thread reminds me of two incidents in military history; At the battle of Minden on 1 August 1759, British soldiers reportedly plucked roses and wore them in their hats as they went into combat. The event was commemorated by the regiments (including the old KOSBs) on the anniversary with officers & ORs wearing a rose in their hats.

At the battle of Fredericksburg in the American Civil
War, members of the Irish Brigade wore springs of
Boxwood in their hats as they made the disasterous
charge up Mayre's Heights.

Not really a connection to Highland clans, but certainly similar to the OP.

T.

[BoldHighlander]

This thread reminds me of two incidents in military history; At the battle of Minden on 1 August 1759, British soldiers reportedly plucked roses and wore them in their hats as they went into combat. The event was commemorated by the regiments (including the old KOSBs) on the anniversary with officers & ORs wearing a rose in their hats.

At the battle of Fredericksburg in the American Civil
War, members of the Irish Brigade wore springs of
Boxwood in their hats as they made the disasterous
charge up Mayre's Heights.

Not really a connection to Highland clans, but certainly similar to the OP.

T.

Add to that the sprigs of pine worn in the hats of Ferguson's Loyalists at the Battle of Kings Mountain in the American Revolution (the Overmountain Men, including my grandfather, wore pieces of paper in theirs for identification).

Patrick Ferguson was a Scotsman by the way