π For No Smoking Day I thought I'd share this heraldic version of the anti-smoking symbol that I once whipped up as a tongue in cheek experiment; shown here pressed into service at a Heraldry Society of Scotland event. Thanks to @bob.omg.lol for the photograph.
Compared to my previous post last International Heraldry Day this showcases just a redrawn lion rampant; still drawing inspiration from legendary Komainu for the lion rampant, surrounded by monshΕ style irises for the flory tressure and set upon a background of Nihon tartan
As it is the Birthday of the Emperor of Japan, I thought today would be a good opportunity to showcase the royal Scottish arms as emblazoned in a Japanese monshΕ influenced style
Warmest wishes to the Emperor and the Japanese nation on this day π
My banner of arms is but only as long as it's rotated 180Β° rather than being flipped vertically!
Not only was living in @aarhuskommune.bsky.social a fun experience, but I was greatly inspired by the positive culture around flags & symbols in Denmark - I even attempted my first heraldic designs whilst there - which inspires my work to this day.
Here it is shown being used years later at my wedding reception where it identified the table for all the friends I made from my time there.
My emblazonment of the county of Aarhus' original banner of arms, posted today in honour of the 20th anniversary of arriving there to start my Erasmus placement at @aarhusuniint.bsky.social
Kinross-shire has launched a consultation about potentially running a flag design competition.
The survey is looking for people - all people but especially those from the county and surrounding areas - to input through the link below
One of those staff members @heraldicartist.bsky.social is also on here
The Lyon Court itself does have an office staff that handle legal and administrative issues, headed up by Lyon himself, who do get salaries
Happy to report that Marchmont Herald is also here at @adamrbruce.bsky.social
Officers of Arms here in Scotland frequently have day jobs. Often in law or business, and one is currently in the NHS. Ordinaries get a peppercorn payment, whilst Extraordinaries like me do not get any payment.
I loved him bringing his fun, loose and free spirited - almost Quentin Blake inspired - style (as exemplified in his artists mark) to my arms. A wonderful example of how varied heraldic art should be. Perhaps I should share more versions of my arms by other artists.
Whilst giving is always better than receiving, as per my last post, it is nonetheless very nice to get a heraldic gift. This Christmas I was touched to get these hand painted emblazonments from @bob.omg.lol
It's always better to give than receive; heraldic gifts too. This year I used my daughter's love of Arthuriana as the excuse! A Guinevere-esque portrait by Luke Anderson and her first heraldry book - a King Arthur Armorial - which I'll have to see if I can borrow from her myself!
This Wall of Honour - and the similar example I witnessed at Tundegarth Kirk earlier this year - shows the story of the ties across Scotland, Britain and the World that came from the Disaster. A moving example of the power symbols can have when used together.
Given our work with symbols it was a privilege to be invited to yesterday's event on the anniversary of the Lockerbie Bombing and witness the laying of emblems by those organisations that responded to the disaster.
A festive and moving vexillological display in this Christmas wreath - which I was delighted to see when visiting the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum recently - featuring the national flags of those nations who lost people in the bombing of PAA103
It's always an honour to attend this particularly vexillological ceremonial event, and it was a joy to be joined by our new officer of arms - Kintyre - for her first duty
Yesterday's St Andrews Day saw the sun really shine for what was also the 60th anniversary of the monument to the Saltire in its legendary birthplace of Athelstaneford. Hopefully a good omen for the Scottish Flag Trust's appeal to support a replacement.
This may be what inspired the Doctor (and other similar Time Lords) to explore the universe in person and gave them access to an antiquated TARDIS; presumably an ideal vehicle for such original Time Lord heralds that had become a symbol of office
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In the real world early heralds were envoys and often tasked with gathering news and information. Perhaps heralds also did this in early Time Lord society only for the non-interference policy to see them transition to a long distance observation and ceremonial role
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Being a Herald would give the Doctor the historical and ceremonial knowledge he displays of both Gallifrey (as evident in the Deadly Assassin) and the wider universe. As the Time Lords are such a technocratic society, he likely needed a Scientific grounding as well
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In the way our heraldic titles were named for territory and nobles, Time Lord heralds could be named for academic and noble positions (Doctor, Master, Monk, Rani, Corsair). Real life office titles are as important as a real name and can even have passports issued in their name.
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BONUS NERDY DR WHO & HERALDRY THEORY TIME!
As a further heraldic take on Doctor Who here is my theory that the name of 'Doctor' may be the Time Lord equivalent of a heraldic office title.
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Here I've displayed it on an opening scene from the Capaldi era titles; the cogs working rather nicely with the chains. Incidentally this title sequence was inspired by a fan proposal that incorporated the Seal of Rassilon similar to how I've placed my artwork here
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I thought #doctorwhoday would be a good occasion to display my monshΕ inspired heraldic artists mark, owing to its slight resemblance to the 'Seal of Rassilon' symbol used by the founder of Time Lord society. (Whilst coincidental I did spot the similarity early on and was happy to run with it)
1/7
Thank you for the kind words. That sounds like an interesting topic for a conversation over a beer one day, unless I somehow become miraculously independently wealthy beforehand!
Many thanks to the friends who have supported me over this last year, and especially to my family as we've overcome the various storms that have blown our way. I hope to be able to repay you now with the brighter horizons that you deserve so much.
My voluntary community flag work and heraldic projects have kept me very busy this last year - and will, of course, be something I continue - but I am pleased to be back in employment, having started with Babcock today, supporting the industry & defence of the nation
For an artist mark I wanted to recall my own arms & banner, as well as referencing my passion for adapting heraldry in novel ways. As such I have used a monshΕ inspired version of my own two chains in a spiral; here being two intertwined futatsu-domoe made of 'shima' chains.
