What does the "dicing" mean?

[MacWage]

Ahh HAA! So what does it mean when you have red and white fuzzy DICE hanging from your mirror? Hmmm? Think about it.

Pimp?

[Jock Scot]

I have spoken to 10 people(plus me) about the meaning of the dicing on civilian bonnets.One(me)wear a diced bonnet.Why?Because I always have.The other 10 wear undiced bonnets.Why?Because they always have!Not very helpful.

We are all aware of some sort of pro/anti Crown/government meaning,but none of us can pin it down to anything specific.Most of us think it harks back to the Hanovarian time.Certainly nothing to do with the present Queen or her government.

[MacWage]

I have spoken to 10 people(plus me) about the meaning of the dicing on civilian bonnets.One(me)wear a diced bonnet.Why?Because I always have.The other 10 wear undiced bonnets.Why?Because they always have!Not very helpful.

We are all aware of some sort of pro/anti Crown/government meaning,but none of us can pin it down to anything specific.Most of us think it harks back to the Hanovarian time.Certainly nothing to do with the present Queen or her government.

What about a diced bonnet with a white cockade?
Or is that just "not done?"

[macwilkin]

I have spoken to 10 people(plus me) about the meaning of the dicing on civilian bonnets.One(me)wear a diced bonnet.Why?Because I always have.The other 10 wear undiced bonnets.Why?Because they always have!Not very helpful.

We are all aware of some sort of pro/anti Crown/government meaning,but none of us can pin it down to anything specific.Most of us think it harks back to the Hanovarian time.Certainly nothing to do with the present Queen or her government.

The evidence tends to support the opposing viewpoint; that the meaning of dicing is a relatively modern invention, since there seems to be little concrete evidence of dicing symbolizing political loyalty during the Jacobite Rebellions/Hanoverian period. If anything, the colour of your cockade (if you wore one) was more symbolic, since some of the indpendent companies (pro-government Highlanders) wore black cockades with a red saltire, etc.

I think it's something that someone has assigned this meaning to, much as some have have assigned the "ancient pedigree" to the Kirkin' of the Tartans, when in reality it began in America during WWII.

Regards,

Todd

[Jock Scot]

The white cockade,I think,is for the historical type people.I have never seen it worn on a bonnet for day to day wear,which, when all said and done,is only worn by very few people anyway.Highland games for example.

[Jock Scot]

The white cockade,I think,is for the historical type people.I have never seen it worn on a bonnet for day to day wear,which, when all said and done,is only worn by very few people anyway.Highland games for example.

I think I ought to clarify my last statement.The term bonnet,in our way of thinking,is used as a general description for a hat.It seems to me that many of you regard a bonnet as a term for a Glengarry or Balmoral only.

[MacWage]

I think I ought to clarify my last statement.The term bonnet,in our way of thinking,is used as a general description for a hat.It seems to me that many of you regard a bonnet as a term for a Glengarry or Balmoral only.

When I read a Scot's comments, I always take both meanings into mind. To most non-Scots, it means "Scottish-specific headwear."
Now, I HAVE seen white cockades on army helmets and ball caps too.

Now, a CHECKED ball cap would be interesting . . .

[acstoon]

I recall reading, somewhere in my travels, the origins of dicing (partially) had religious implications.
According to what I read, dicing indicated protestant affiliation, no dicing displayed catholic affiliation.
Any truth to this?

[Jock Scot]

I recall reading, somewhere in my travels, the origins of dicing (partially) had religious implications.
According to what I read, dicing indicated protestant affiliation, no dicing displayed catholic affiliation.
Any truth to this?

Again,things seem to point to the Hanovarian(protestant)--Stewart(Roman Catholic) thing.The Western Highlands was the power base of Bonnie Prince Charlie and it was no accident that the area had(has still) a strong RC connection.I have never heard of the dicing,or not,referred in religous terms though.

[Jock Scot]

Hummmmm.