Plant Badge

[Macthenife]

I'm not sure if this has been covered before in a previous thread but I would like to get some information about a clans plant badge, what the significance is and how it is worn and when. Thank you in advance.

Slainte!

Shawn

[Mael Coluim]

Here is a thread that may shed some light for you on plant badges.

Plant Badge: Heraldry for common Scots

Here are the threads that lead us adopting ours the dandelion.

Is X Marks the Scot a Clan?

Vote for an "X Marks Clan Plant Badge"

[Chas]

Hi Shawn,

In the days before uniforms, armies needed some method of identifying who was on their side and who was not. Usually a sprig of local plant that they all agreed would represent them. Worn mostly in the hat because people look at each other's faces to recognise each other. No good if it was hidden in a pocket. So much of Scots history has been invented and romanticised that it is hard to tell what is truth and what is pure invention. Suffice to say that most, if not all, Scottish clans have a plant badge.


One English Royal Dynasty was named after their plant badge - the House of Plantagenet was named after their plant badge the planta genista (Latin) or common broom.

We have our own plant badge which is the dandelion. Worn here by four members at the Preston kilt night:


Regards

Chas

[McMurdo]

I have taken to wearing our XMarkstheScot plant badge behind my XMarkstheScot Crest on my Balmoral

[CDNSushi]

Hmm, I suppose I could start wearing a dandelion as a plant badge myself... This may sound rather nitpicky, but my understanding is that we have adopted the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).

I wonder, because I live/work in Japan, would fellow clansmen have any issue with me wearing a Taraxacum japonicum (whose common name is the Japanese dandelion)? Same taxonomical genus as T. officinale, but the flower looks a little different...

What say the rabble?

For reference:

T. officinale




T. japonicum

[Mael Coluim]

Aye, mate. One of our the reasons in accepting it as our Clan badge plant isthe fact that is everywhere! So our little flower in your land is the one for you to wear!

[piperdbh]

McMurdo,
That's a really nice dandelion you have there. Where'd you get it?
Who's that rascal behind your nose? I think I've seen him somewhere.


My clan, Lockhart, has no plant badge, but my Chief says it's OK to wear a sprig of heather behind the badge. I've suggested before that a state/province flower would make a nice plant badge, especially if you wear a kilt that you have no family/clan association with.

[Standard]

Here's mine taken this spring.

[dfmacliam]

I say wear the Japanese one... its what the dandelion is about, as earlier posted... its worldwide...

[McMurdo]

McMurdo,
That's a really nice dandelion you have there. Where'd you get it?
Who's that rascal behind your nose? I think I've seen him somewhere.

I should have said it was you who was gracious enough to gift me with my dandelion. One of the wonderful things about XMarkers in general is their generosity and you sir are no exception. Thank you again, I wear it proudly.