Clan crest rings?

**Tony** · 9th February 13, 12:42 PM

You know the old saying.

In for a penny.......

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

It seems then, as though all these assorted rings are more the equivalent of the UK's "club/Regimental type ties? I would have thought a Clan tartan would be an obvious way of signifying a connection though?

**AJBryant** · 9th February 13, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Surely you've heard of the world famous Fargo North, Decoder?

**Chainsaw02** · 9th February 13, 05:19 PM

Are we talking about a ring with the clan crest or the clan badge on it? There is quite a difference you know. In no way am I trying to be condensending here but it is my understanding that a clan crest can only be displayed by the clan chief or used with his permission.

Larry Dirr

**mookien** · 9th February 13, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Fargo North wears one, and he's probably the world's foremost decoder.

Surely you've heard of the world famous Fargo North, Decoder?

Good one!

**AJBryant** · 9th February 13, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Chainsaw02

Are we talking about a ring with the clan crest or the clan badge on it? There is quite a difference you know. In no way am I trying to be condensending here but it is my understanding that a clan crest can only be displayed by the clan chief or used with his permission.

The clan badge has the crest on it. Are you possibly thinking *arms*?

**Chainsaw02** · 9th February 13, 05:56 PM

Yes. Thank you for the correction of terms AJBryant.

Larry Dirr

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 9th February 13, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Chainsaw02

Are we talking about a ring with the clan crest or the clan badge on it? There is quite a difference you know. In no way am I trying to be condensending here but it is my understanding that a clan crest can only be displayed by the clan chief or used with his permission.

Larry Dirr

Technically, you are correct. The crest, whether displayed within a circlet, strap and buckle, or alone, is the exclusive property of the chief and may be used by him to mark his property. Again, speaking technically, a ring displaying the chief's crest is the property of the chief.

The reality is that (a) the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs acts as the agent for most of the chiefs and licenses the use of chiefly crests to any number of manufacturers for a wide variety of products, including "clan crest" rings, so (b) obviously the chiefs aren't too concerned about the practice.

My own take on the situation is that in the final analysis wearing a clan crest ring on one's finger is just another manifestation of one's allegiance to their chief and, in that regard, is no different than wearing a clansman's badge on their bonnet. I wouldn't do it, but I'd certainly not heap scorn upon someone who chose to so display their clan allegiance in such a manner.

**davidlpope** · 9th February 13, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

It seems then, as though all these assorted rings are more the equivalent of the UK's "club/Regimental type ties?

Yes. Certain schools (Texas A&M, Clemson, Naval Academy, VMI) are particularly known for this tradition.

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I would have thought a Clan tartan would be an obvious way of signifying a connection though?

Sometimes folks think more is more...

**TheOfficialBren** · 9th February 13, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Chas has just summarized the contents of several thousand posts to this forum.

Yes, Jock, people do buy them, along with stickers, stamps, shirts, bumper stickers, license plates for their cars, coffee mugs (beakers), and just about anything else a crest can be put on.

***

I wouldn't buy all of that mess but many people do.

**David Thorpe** · 10th February 13, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Sometimes folks think more is more...

That seems to be an especially prevalent attitude in the US. It's all about the bling - PCs with fly plaids for occasions where tweed would be far more appropriate, mini-medals when decorations are not called for, dress sporrans with day wear, and on and on.

As MacMillan of Rathdown very discretely pointed out, it is good to bear in mind that the cap badge is not a clan badge, but rather the badge from the personal arms of the Chief of the clan, encircled by a buckled belt to indicate that the wearer is a retainer of the Chief. The arms and the badge belong to him alone. His retainers wear the badge at his pleasure and with his permission.
Traditionally and technically, any other display of the badge is at best in questionable taste. Of course, many pewter-ware and embroidery vendors and their overly enthusiastic customers understandably take exception to this view.

Edit: I confess to owning and occasionally wearing a "clan" kilt pin. Mea culpa.