Clan 'God'

[g koch]

Looking thru http://www.district-tartans.com/ i've been really impressed with variety and beauty of these tartans; some of them of 'ancient' origin but many of more recent design and, IMHO, more appealing to the modern eye.

Holyrood has an implied God connection.

[bjcustard]

The Clark tartan is just slightly different from the Clergy. (one line's difference... see if you can find it )

___________________________

BJ Custard
Pro Libertate!, with Clark in the blood too!

[Jewddha]

Ron, definitely no kilt for israel, but there is definitely some inspiration to go along with it! (although, having been there, I'm not too sure how kindly they would take to it)

[macwilkin]

I've got to go with Mike and Scotus on this one -- even if folks don't recognise the Clergy tartan, they might not understand why someone who is not a member of the clergy was wearing a tartan for that profession.

Another tartan with a religious association is the Douglas tartan, which was worn by the Cameronian Regiment of the British Army -- the only regiment named for a religious leader, Richard Cameron. The Cameronians were originally a group of strict Presbyterians, Covenanters, who used to worship at secret & illegal services called conventicles. The Covenanters would post armed guards at the corners of the meeting to watch for government forces coming to break up the meeting. Later, the followers of Richard Cameron would be recruited into the British Army to form the new regiment. Up until their disbandment in 1968, the Cameronians would post sentries at the four corners of the kirk on Sunday, and the padre could not begin the service until an officer shouted "all clear!"

The Cameronians were later merged with the Scottish Rifles, and the new regiment became a rifle regiment, so the Douglas tartan, which has quite a bit of green, was chosen. The Cameronians wore Douglas tartan trews.

When faced with amalgamation in 1968 with another Lowland regiment, the Cameronians chose to disband.

Cheers,

Todd

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Jewddha,

Kind of the opposite of the old English wankers telling us Scots we can't wear our tartans and kilts....now we're running around telling others they should get a tartan and wear kilts....

Ron

[Mike1]

No offense intended…

And none taken.

…but isn't service what Clans are all about?

When you say "clans", I take it to mean you are referring to today's clan societies and associations? And yes, they are about service, keeping all of the members' names on file, ensuring that the annual dues are all paid and getting that quarterly newsletter out on time.

The historical clans were all about family, looking out for family. Sadly, that clan structure was systematically eliminated, 200 years ago. We still embrace it and breathe life into here in North America, which does give many Scots varying levels of amusement. Then again, many Scots suffer from Scottish cringe, so I suppose it is a bit of give and take. (The malady of Scottish cringe does not amuse me, however. )

Mutual help in time of trouble. Offering the hand of brotherhood in times of sorrow. And sharing joy in the good times.

Exactly, just in the same way that strong families look out for one another in this day and age.

And you must admit, He is Laird of All.

I admit that, because I love to admit it, not because I "must".

The point I was attempting make was that I view the Clergy tartan in the same way that I view a clerical stole. It is a physical representation of the yoke that particular pastor shares with our Lord. I suppose many people wear a cross on a necklace because of the aesthetic value. The small cross I wear is a constant reminder that I must take up my cross and follow Him. The Clergy tartan is yet another outward and visible representation of my commitment to Him.

Pleased to "meet" you, BTW. I see you have traveled some.

Yours aye,
Mike Ermel, PM
Tippecanoe Lodge No. 492, F&AM

[Doc Hudson]

Glad to meet another Brother. Especially a clergyman. I belong to Indianola Lodge #450, in Indianola, MS.

[philibeg]

I don't mean to be a wet blanket here, but I thought I'd just mention an exchange I had with a Scot in the early days of my kilt-wearing.

We were talking tartans, and I mentioned that there were lovely tartans for the clergy....my Scottish friend looked at me with an angry eye and proceeded to lecture me on the unfavorable role the clergy had played in the Highland clearances!!

Just goes to show how sensitive some issues can be, and how we can tumble into traps we never dreamed of!!

But, if you like the tartan and what it means to you, WEAR IT, I say!

[highlander_Daz]

I can tell you that phillibegs right about the kirk, there are a lot of issues about religeon and sectarianism in Scotland "Scotlands shame" its commonly called, its sometimes more to do with football than the Kirk. however I like blue clergy tartan and i couldnt imagine anyone taking offence. you dont have to be ordained to be religious or wear religious symbols. go for it!!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

A few thoughts...

Re: Clergy vs. Clark. The Clark family tartan wears a variation of the Clergy tartan (both words, "clark" and "clergy" coming from the same root). However, the grey stripes of the clergy tartan are rendered in white in the Clark tartan. On some computer images, the difference may be subtle, but it is quite striking in the actual cloth. Very easy to tell the difference, IMO.

Re: the recognition of the Clergy tartan. While it is true that most people will have no idea what tartan you are wearing (most people have no idea what tartan anyone is wearing) the Clergy tartan is quite distinctive, and those who know about it will easily be able to tell what it is. So if you choose to wear it, be prepared for lots of folks to ask if you are a minister of some sort.

Re: the appropriateness of wearing the tartan if you are not actually a member of the clergy. While the basic truth does stand (that I have reiterated time and time again) that you can wear any tartan you like, there are some tartans -- especially occupational ones -- where what they represent is held in such high esteem that I, personally, and many others, would not choose to wear them because of the perception it would give. I would not wear the West Point tartan unless I actually attended the West Point military academy, for instance, because I know that alumni there are very proud of their alma mater and I have no claims to it. I would not wear the Leatherneck tartan, because I have not served in the USMC, and would not want to give the false impression that I have.

If I do not want to give the impression that I am a marine, because of the high esteem I and others hold our military, then how much less to I want to give the impression that I am a member of the clergy, when in fact I am not?

I'm not saying that I wouldn't make you a kilt in the Clergy tartan. I'm just saying to think about it carefully first.

I, personally, have always loved the Clergy tartan. I find it especially beautiful, it's always been one of my favorites. And because I am a man of faith, the religious symbolism of the tartan has always appealed to me. But, perhaps because I am a man of faith, and I hold the clergy in such high regard, I am just as hesitant to wear their tartan as I would be to wear a Roman collar, for instance! It implies a certain faculty that I simply do not have. That's how I have decided the issue... think about it a while, you may very well come to a different conclusion in your case.

If you really love the tartan, you can always do what the Clark family did -- alter the tartan somewhat to still show an affiliation, but without making the claim that you are a clergyman yourself.

Aye,
Matt