Feathers and plants

[wyldathart]

Ok I know the rule about feathers in the bonnets. Bad Juju to say the least if your not a chief. I've seen a different number of feathers in bonnets. do the number of feathers signify something?
I know some clans have a clan plant that you can tuck a sprig in behind your cap badge. My clan does not have a clan plant.
What is acceptable to wear on my balmoral?

[Jack Daw]

Three eagle feathers for a Chief, two for a Chieftain (head of a clan branch), and one for an armiger (someone who has been granted a coat of arms by the Lord Lyon). Pull a sprig from a plant that grows in your yard. I've done that under certain circumstances.

[piperdbh]

I had the same question about the plant and emailed my clan chief, and he said we don't have a plant. I knew that already. He went on to say that the estate grows some lovely heather which would be perfectly acceptable to wear behind a cap badge. The only problem is, I don't have access to that lovely heather, since I'm an ocean and a continent away. If your local florist can get some heather, it can be dried and put behind the badge. Your state flower could also work, I think.

[macwilkin]

I had the same question about the plant and emailed my clan chief, and he said we don't have a plant. I knew that already. He went on to say that the estate grows some lovely heather which would be perfectly acceptable to wear behind a cap badge. The only problem is, I don't have access to that lovely heather, since I'm an ocean and a continent away. If your local florist can get some heather, it can be dried and put behind the badge. Your state flower could also work, I think.

I like the suggestion of the state flower. Might have to go find a wild rose for Iowa...

T.

[gilmore]

I like the suggestion of the state flower. Might have to go find a wild rose for Iowa...

T.

All very well and good, except for the poor Kansans, whose state flower is the sunflower. They would get crooked necks from wearing it.

[Bugbear]

All very well and good, except for the poor Kansans, whose state flower is the sunflower. They would get crooked necks from wearing it.

Don't forget the arizona state flower: the Saguaro cactus Flower.

And I think the dandelion would be just... dandy.

[dfmacliam]

Okay, I have known about the significance of the eagle feathers, but what about pheasant feathers I have seen worn?

[Scotus]

The term "sept" is completely correct in Scottish usage

This is true. This is why our clan society (Clan Cumming, USA) doesn't use this term; rather, we say, "names traditionally associated with Clan Cumming." I know that takes a lot longer to say than, "sept," but it's more correct.

And... Todd... I think you'd look quite grand with two eagle feathers in your Balmoral at our next clan gathering. Just kidding, I had never heard of this before either.

[EagleJCS]

Jack is correct. The President of a Clan Society may also wear two feathers, if I'm not mistaken.

I know in the Clan Scott Society, the elected President of the Society is titled 'Chieftan' and is accepted as a clan chieftan by the heraldic chief of Clan Scott. (I don't want to start a big discussion here about 'what constitutes a clan'. Essentially, a Clan Society is an incorporated collection of folks with the name of, or relatives/ancestors with - but not necessarily blood-kin related to - the original clan or one of the generally accepted septs. Seeing as how the clan system broke down over 200 years ago, I imagine it would be difficult to ascertain an actual blood-kin relationship to a chief or one of the septs.)

If you want to put a piece of plant on your Balmoral, wyld, why not a spring of heather or thistle? They're generally identified with Scotland, and most people wouldn't really know the difference anyway. (I know I wouldn't.)

[macwilkin]

Jack is correct. The President of a Clan Society may also wear two feathers, if I'm not mistaken.

I've never seen anything from the Lyon Court that authorises a clan society president to wear feathers in their bonnet. The following leaflet explains the custom:

http://www.scotarmigers.net/pdfs/info-leaflet-2.pdf

I know in the Clan Scott Society, the elected President of the Society is titled 'Chieftan' and is accepted as a clan chieftan by the heraldic chief of Clan Scott.

I'd like to see a statement from the Duke of Buccleuch regarding this claim, or if the Lord Lyon recognises it. Again, I've never heard of such a practice before.

Respectfully,

Todd