Meaning of Tartan's ?

[thescot]

I can say with some confidence that the answer to the OP is, NO.

I think that, in general, it's safe to say that, early on, the colors were made from whatever form of dye was available, and that was somewhat regional, at least in the more rural areas and among the poorer of the folk. Obviously, those who were financially able had access to a wider range of dyes, commercially produced cloth, etc. I doubt that His Grace Archibald Campbell wore the same attire as Rob Roy.

Speaking of which, Rob Roy, the novel (which is not about Rob Roy), is instructive as to how different folks might have actually lived. When in Glasgow, Rob was dressed pretty much like everyone else; in the Highlands, he was kilted and attired in traditional highland garb, complete with a sporran that had a booby trap included. (I'd love one of those! )

I believe it is safe to assume that after 1800, it was the mills who saw an opportunity to help create a market for wool cloth by coming up with the various tartans and clan associations. I applaud their entrepeneurial spirit and accumin, and I am impressed with their creativity. However, buying into their advertising statements would be as silly as buying into current ad slogans.

And. . . I do believe that many "hunting" tartans were created by adding colors to the Governement tartan. I read that in So You're Going to Wear . . . to cite a source, and whether you like Scotty Thompson or his book, you have to agree that he did at least try to study tartans and demythologize many old beliefs.

And--a bit of modern heresy--if a new wearer of the kilt purchases his book and does as he advises, he will not go wrong. . . . Except for the white hose.

[figheadair]

I think that, in general, it's safe to say that, early on, the colors were made from whatever form of dye was available, and that was somewhat regional, at least in the more rural areas and among the poorer of the folk. Obviously, those who were financially able had access to a wider range of dyes, commercially produced cloth, etc. I doubt that His Grace Archibald Campbell wore the same attire as Rob Roy.

Whilst this is basically true you might be surprised just how readily available indigo was and how widely it was being traded by the early 1600s. It's one of those dyestuffs that does not require that much to produce the colour and for which there was no cheap alternative. The same can be said for red.

I believe it is safe to assume that after 1800, it was the mills who saw an opportunity to help create a market for wool cloth by coming up with the various tartans and clan associations. I applaud their entrepeneurial spirit and accumin, and I am impressed with their creativity. However, buying into their advertising statements would be as silly as buying into current ad slogans.

Absolutely, although the clan associations were probably not origiall the weavers' (often Wilsons of Banockburn) idea but seem to have begun life as the invention of the Highland Revival chiefs and in particular the Highland Society of London.

And--a bit of modern heresy--if a new wearer of the kilt purchases his book and does as he advises, he will not go wrong. . . . Except for the white hose.

There are some other statements that are too dogmatic such as the sgian dubh is worn in the right stocking. And for the left handed? Or, that the silver cantled fur sporran is the correct style for evening wear. It's one style but certainly not the only.

[Bugbear]

Thanks, figheadair, that helps a great deal.

[zazenkilter]

Hello My friend.
Yes, there is a meaning for each colour you have in your tartan. Sum more then others. As a Designer or tartan, we always ask, for favorite colours, and in that why they like them. Could be for the coloure of the woods you grew up in or your the colour of the roses your mom grew when you were a child. The colours can also have a very powerful meaning, as in the Jewish Tartan I did for the Rabbinical Tartan, there the colours or for the wine, gold on the alter, white, black, gray all have meaning from the teachings of the faith. You can check out Rabbinical Tartan, a full site has been made for you to see and understand. Also the Am Yisrael Chai Tartan, also a full site for its meanings and use of numbers for the thread count and colours in the 8 colours of this Holy Tartan, to be used in the Temple. I hope this will help you and if not, please contact me and I will help you further.
Namaste
Gary Berreth

[Paul Henry]

Hello My friend.
Yes, there is a meaning for each colour you have in your tartan. Sum more then others. As a Designer or tartan, we always ask, for favorite colours, and in that why they like them. Could be for the coloure of the woods you grew up in or your the colour of the roses your mom grew when you were a child. The colours can also have a very powerful meaning, as in the Jewish Tartan I did for the Rabbinical Tartan, there the colours or for the wine, gold on the alter, white, black, gray all have meaning from the teachings of the faith. You can check out Rabbinical Tartan, a full site has been made for you to see and understand. Also the Am Yisrael Chai Tartan, also a full site for its meanings and use of numbers for the thread count and colours in the 8 colours of this Holy Tartan, to be used in the Temple. I hope this will help you and if not, please contact me and I will help you further.
Namaste
Gary Berreth

Welcome Gary, I think you are misunderstanding the orignal question, there is NO meangin behind the colours in a tartan design , UNLESS the designer chooses meaning. Most historic tartans did not have any meaning attatched to the colours when they were first woven. Tody many new tartans are designed with colour meanings, but this was not the case originally.

And please introduce yourself properly in the new members pages. I'll still love to see some pictures of Pazo's Kilt, that you made some time , and which he described on this board very affectionately, all of us here love seeing pictures of finished kilts

[figheadair]

Hello My friend.
Yes, there is a meaning for each colour you have in your tartan. Sum more then others. As a Designer or tartan, we always ask, for favorite colours, and in that why they like them. Could be for the coloure of the woods you grew up in or your the colour of the roses your mom grew when you were a child. The colours can also have a very powerful meaning, as in the Jewish Tartan I did for the Rabbinical Tartan, there the colours or for the wine, gold on the alter, white, black, gray all have meaning from the teachings of the faith. You can check out Rabbinical Tartan, a full site has been made for you to see and understand. Also the Am Yisrael Chai Tartan, also a full site for its meanings and use of numbers for the thread count and colours in the 8 colours of this Holy Tartan, to be used in the Temple. I hope this will help you and if not, please contact me and I will help you further.
Namaste
Gary Berreth

This is a wholly modern (post-c1980) idea and historically there was never a rationale for the choice of colours in tartans.

[figheadair]

This is a wholly modern (post-c1980) idea and historically there was never a rationale for the choice of colours in tartans.

I'm grateful to Highland Logan for reminding me that there were a couple of exceptions such as the Nova scotia tartan which dates to 1953. So let's say post-1950 unless anyone knows of anything earlier?

[Thomas H]

Thank You all for your advice ,I asked the OP becuase I am thinking of trying to get a Family Tartan Registered for ( Hougas ) of Norway and I did not want to do this if it affinded any ones Tartan due to meaning.
But as I see now I should be OK in doing so.
Thanks again

[zazenkilter]

Your welcome, have fun and welcome to the world of tartan designers.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'm grateful to Highland Logan for reminding me that there were a couple of exceptions such as the Nova scotia tartan which dates to 1953. So let's say post-1950 unless anyone knows of anything earlier?

I think the 1953 Nova Scotia tartan is the first I can recall ever seeing designed with explicit symbolism for the colors in mind.