MacInnes crest/coat of arms tattoo

**chihawks35** · 12th January 15, 05:27 PM

Yes I get that but what I'm struggling with now is do I use the old crest and motto or do I use the associations

**YOJiMBO20** · 12th January 15, 11:22 PM

Personally, I like the old one. That's what's on my kilt pin.

**Jock Scot** · 13th January 15, 02:26 AM

Welcome, from Inverness-shire.

I hope you don't mind me saying, but why go to all that bother? Why not just wear the MacInnes tartan? Alright, I admit that I am not a tattoo type person and I don't think that I would recognise the tartan anyway, but by wearing the tartan it has the same effect but with, as I understand it, rather less pain.

Just wondering.

**davidlpope** · 13th January 15, 05:05 AM

Another suggestion: why not pool all the money that you would spend on the tattoos and have the progenitor of your family seek your own coat of arms from Lord Lyon? In the Scottish tradition this would be a differenced version of the Macinnes chiefly arms, so there would be an obvious connection to your clan. There aren't many things which are more permanent than a tattoo, but armorial bearings are one of them...

**davidlpope** · 13th January 15, 05:14 AM

Wearing a belt and buckle encircling a crest is a way of saying, "My loyalty belongs to the man who bears this crest."

Since the chief's crest is currently borne by no one, who would you be proclaiming allegiance to, the idea of a clan chief?

Likewise, if you wear the crest badge of the clan association, you are proclaiming allegiance to that organization.

I suspect that we're making this more complicated than you'd like, but there's more to consider here than first meets the eye.

I'd also suggest the Dave Pope tattoo test: finalize your design, then seal it in an envelope for a year. If you still want the tattoo after a year passes, go get it...

**chihawks35** · 13th January 15, 05:34 AM

Yes you are making it more difficult but you are right it's a lot to think about

**flairball** · 13th January 15, 07:14 AM

I haven't posted here in a while, but as some one who is heavily tattooed this thread has caught my eye.

I'd say don't get either tattoo. Wanting a tattoo that represents/ honors your Scottish heritage is understandable, but I don't think this is the way to go about it. Do you really have any allegiance to the clan? Has the clan been a prominent part of your upbringing? Do you know anyone in the clan? Before deciding to get a heritage tattoo were you familliar with the crest and coat designs? If the clan, and these symbols haven't been a significant part of your life until now, I'd say they don't hold any real meaning to you. Don't reach for meaning and significance in something that doesn't hold any.

There are a lot of talented tattoo artist out there who could take your ideas, and draw a custom, meaningful design for you and your brothers. If it were me I'd get together with my brothers, bounce around a few ideas, maybe even borrow a few elements from the existing crest and coat, and have a design made specifically for us.

**chihawks35** · 13th January 15, 07:19 AM

Also a good idea as well

**Stitchwiz** · 13th January 15, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Wearing a belt and buckle encircling a crest is a way of saying, "My loyalty belongs to the man who bears this crest."

Since the chief's crest is currently borne by no one, who would you be proclaiming allegiance to, the idea of a clan chief?

Likewise, if you wear the crest badge of the clan association, you are proclaiming allegiance to that organization.

I suspect that we're making this more complicated than you'd like, but there's more to consider here than first meets the eye.

I'd also suggest the Dave Pope tattoo test: finalize your design, then seal it in an envelope for a year. If you still want the tattoo after a year passes, go get it...

Emboldening added

You have quite a dilemma, chihawks35. Tattoos are permanent, sometimes you can modify them but in this case you can't. I agree with Dave, you have too many unanswered questions about the design to make a quick decision.

You need to be sure, because you must live with it for the rest of your life. Will you be happy with it 5 years, 10 years, 20 years down the road?

Talk it over with the rest of the family - let them read this thread if that will help keep things on track.

What a way to jump in with both feet, chihawks35! We are glad to have you join us!

from Owen Sound, ON