Plant Badges

[Bigkahuna]

If I am not mistaken, I believe that some State Plants are illegal to pick.

[figheadair]

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.

[Bruce Scott]

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.

Next you will be telling us there is no historical basis to Clan perfumes:
http://www.aromasciences.com/clan-perfume.html

[figheadair]

Next you will be telling us there is no historical basis to Clan perfumes:
http://www.aromasciences.com/clan-perfume.html

The only one worth anything is Skin So Soft - excellent anti-midge perfume.

[JSFMACLJR]

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 .

Why not wear one? I frequently put a sprig of holly on my bonnet because--are you ready?-- I LIKE THE WAY IT LOOKS.

Brigadoonery or not, plant badges do have the place in Highland dress, and while the practice might be, as you say "virtually unknown in Scotland," many clansmen do wear them at gatherings and games. I can give you all sorts of evidence of this, but I don't think it will win you over!

[JSFMACLJR]

As I so often do, here are some pics of plant badges being worn, some old, some new.

[JSFMACLJR]

[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.