State Crest 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]

[Hermes]

@Detroitpete - Ha, I like it! Love me some pasties. And, I wasn't aware of the "Polar Bears". Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

@M of R - Wow, thanks for the info - you sound like a guy who knows his stuff. But check this out concerning the distinction between the use of the Great Seal and the coat of arms:

http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7...2832--,00.html

Meh, I think I might just go with the silhouette of the U.P. - I wonder if I could get it made in copper?

[Mike_Oettle]

While MacMillan is correct with regard to his summing up of the ownership of state seals, I am afraid he has let the side down with his suggestion regarding T-shirts.
A T-shirt indicating your home state is a fine idea as long as you are at the level of T-shirt wearing. But it seems to me the OP is looking for something a little more formal, in terms of both the style of clothing worn with the kilt and the representation of the home state.
The Wisconsin Scottish badge is a case in point: it has been cast/struck in metal, it has an emblem within a strap and buckle, and the emblem has greater significance than a mere assemblage of lettering and perhaps a state map.
In other words, it is a recognisable bonnet badge and can appropriately be worn with kilt attire. (And like other bonnet badges it can also be worn on the sporran if the occasion does not call for wearing a bonnet.)
The strap-and-buckle format is also not the only one appropriate for a bonnet badge (my regimental badge [below] being a case in point).

The suggestions made for bonnet badges showing state flowers, birds and other emblems are sound ones.
The state seal is often a poor choice for a badge, not only because it symbolises the state government (regardless of whether that is personified by the governor or the legislature), but because it is often far too large or complex to be reduced to a single recognisable symbol. This applies when the seal shows a coat of arms (heraldic achievement), and often even more so when the seal design is not armorial.
But frequently a US state does have a coat of arms with a crest, which could perhaps be abstracted for the purpose of a bonnet badge. (The crest of Michigan is, however, not one of these, since it is identical in its details to the supporter in the arms of the United States.)
Certainly Canadian provinces (and other levels of government) have crests that can be so applied.
And every state of the US has a military crest for the use of its National Guard units. I see no reason why the display of such crests cannot be authorised for bonnet badge use by National Guard members (serving or honourably discharged).
Since the bonnet badge tradition requires the badge to be in metal only, not in colour, the use of such a badge in this manner cannot be confused with a direct military application.
This is an idea well worth following up, not to mention its being applied in other countries.
Regards,
Mike

[gary meakin]

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