State Crest Badge

[macwilkin]

Who is going to decide that!? lol Arizona's will probably be a cactus or something dumb.

Considering that the Saguaro blossom is the state flower of Arizona, I'm not sure why it is "something dumb". Using the state flower as a kilt pin or a plant badge is a novel idea; Matt has a Dogwood badge on his Carolina kilt, for example.

Another possibility might be if your state had an issue badge for its regiments in the Civil War; I wear a reproduction badge for Iowa regiments as a kilt pin on my Iowa tartan.

I know the Minnesota St. Andrew's Society has developed their own distinct cap badge, on the same lines as the Wisconsin Scottish badge.

T.

[Hermes]

I kind of like Michigan's seal, but yeah, the detail would get lost, Lyle. I'm thinking of having maybe just the shape of the Upper Peninsula (since I'm a Yooper), or possibly a wolverine, or even the University of Michigan "M".

Cajunscot, interesting ideas. For Michigan - apple blossom (state flower), or dwarf lake iris (state wildflower). And, where might I find these repos of regiment badges? I am quite fond of the Wisconsin Scottish cap badge, but I haven't found that any of Michigan's Scottish societies have come up with anything the like. Though I also plan on putting together a Wisconsin kilt outfit at some point, since my grandfather was from Green Bay and as a Yooper we tend to associate closely with Wisconsin, if not more so than with Michigan, anyway, so I'll probably use that as a cap badge.

[macwilkin]

I kind of like Michigan's seal, but yeah, the detail would get lost, Lyle. I'm thinking of having maybe just the shape of the Upper Peninsula (since I'm a Yooper), or possibly a wolverine, or even the University of Michigan "M".

Cajunscot, interesting ideas. For Michigan - apple blossom (state flower), or dwarf lake iris (state wildflower). And, where might I find these repos of regiment badges? I am quite fond of the Wisconsin Scottish cap badge, but I haven't found that any of Michigan's Scottish societies have come up with anything the like. Though I also plan on putting together a Wisconsin kilt outfit at some point, since my grandfather was from Green Bay and as a Yooper we tend to associate closely with Wisconsin, if not more so than with Michigan, anyway, so I'll probably use that as a cap badge.

I honestly don't know if Michigan produced any distinctive insignia for its regiments. Civil War reenactor "sutlers", merchants who sell reproduction kit, may have something:

http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/hatbrass2.htm

Note the Louisiana pelican, the Texas stars, and the Arms of New York in the bottom right. There is also the Georgia state seal that a former member hear wore on his Georgia tartan kilt. Not every state produced such insignia, but it could be an option...

T.

[Detroitpete]

I honestly don't know if Michigan produced any distinctive insignia for its regiments. Civil War reenactor "sutlers", merchants who sell reproduction kit, may have something:

http://www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/hatbrass2.htm

Note the Louisiana pelican, the Texas stars, and the Arms of New York in the bottom right. There is also the Georgia state seal that a former member hear wore on his Georgia tartan kilt. Not every state produced such insignia, but it could be an option...

T.

Hermes,
For a 'Yooper" badge, how about a meat pastie flanked by a trout and a giant black fly? Just a bit of ribbing from a downstate 'troll'.

I've always thought the idea of a polar bear to be an appropriate symbol of Michigan if one is searching for a symbol of Michigan's fighting forces. It represents the "Polar Bears" (339th Infantry) of WWI and their plight. We still honor them at their monument here on Memorial Day.

[Tartan Hiker]

Seems like some enterprising vendor would make belt-and-buckle pins with simple state silhouettes in the center...which would be great as long as you don't live in Colorado or Wyoming!

[piperdbh]

If you're thinking of something along the lines of your state seal encircled by a buckle and strap, like clan crest badges, remember the buckle and strap mean that the wearer is declaring his/her allegiance to the owner of the crest. With a clan badge, this means that when I wear my Lockhart badge, I'm declaring my loyalty to my Chief. If I were to wear the North Carolina state seal encircled with a strap and buckle, it would mean that I'm declaring my allegiance to the owner of the state seal, which some people might say was the governor, others might say is the state legislature (which we call the General Assembly), and others could say is the people of my state. You can see how that could lead to all sorts of "interesting" discussions. If I were to wear a state seal pin without the buckle and strap, it might be a good conversation starter, but to me it just doesn't look right without the buckle and strap. Maybe I've seen too many clan badges and now my vision is warped.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

If I were to wear the North Carolina state seal encircled with a strap and buckle, it would mean that I'm declaring my allegiance to the owner of the state seal, which some people might say was the governor, others might say is the state legislature (which we call the General Assembly), and others could say is the people of my state.

The official seal of any state (or nation) is the exclusive property of government of that state (or nation). In general terms "government" is defined as the executive and legislative authority (and sometimes the judicial authority) of the state. The seal is retained by the secretary of state, and it is affixed to official documents at the direction of the chief executive of the state. Because of the official governmental nature of the seal, its use is limited, usually by statute, to the government. The people within the state have no ownership, or right to use, the seal of the state.

So much for seals...

Rather than invent "State Clan Badges", why not just wear a tee shirt that says "Kiss Me Quick, I'm From Iowa" (or where ever)?

[piperdbh]

Now we see why it's a good idea to post questions here. Somebody will have the answer.

Thanks, M of R, for the clarification. Will "Virginia is for Lovers" fit on a badge?

[Tartan Hiker]

[gary meakin]

This discussion has me looking for an "old Man in the Mountain" pin