SYMBOLS

To further our aim of recreating a full 16th century family life, we have created some symbols drawn from history and our own lore.
Rallying Cry
"An Darach Mor" ("The Great Oak")- much used in marches.
Motto and Slogan (Sluggan) or War Cry
"Demimid iarract niòs fearr" transliterated: "We do the attempt more better" or "We try harder."
Plant Badge
The Oak. Anyone may wear oak leaves as a cap badge, and the oak leaf and acorn designs are favorites for crafts and decorations.
Animal Badge
The Selkie (or Silkie), legendary water creature who swims the sea in a sealskin but may take it off and walk upon the earth as a man. A selkie was the traditional ancestor of the Colin line, and therefore of our Clan. We neither kill nor eat seals, though others in the 16th century commonly did so.
Clan Badge
Our clan badge is a Selkie (or Silkie), with sealskin on lower half, bearing sword, bow, and arrows in a wreath of oak leaves. The wreath is used instead of the belt to avoid offending members of some clan societies
Other Badges, etc.
Areas of responsibility within the Clan (catering, water carriers, medics, etc.) may wear appropriate tokens or ribbons. The Clan has established awards of merit, but these and other awards are only worn at 20th-century events.
Banners
We carry the national flags of St. Andrew and St. Patrick on marches: St. Andrew's Cross, for Scotland, is a white saltire (diagonal cross) on a blue field; St. Patrick's Cross is a white saltire on a  red field.

The Chief has a personal banner bearing his motto and his personal arms. Households also have their own banners.

We also carry our own painted and embroidered Saints banners of Saint Patrick, Saint Andrew, and Saint Maolrubha, our patron saint.

 
 

Clan Tartan

There is none! Family tartan setts were not in use in the 1500's. The Chief favors green, brown, and white (our heraldic colors), but he and his Clan wear what they can make or get.

Clan Surname
These were not used in the 16th century, either. Our personas, the theatrical characters we each develop, use patronymics ("mac Ciaran" -son of Ciaran; "nic Eoghann" -daughter of Eoghann) and descriptive names ("Iain Ruadh" - Red Iain; "Mairi Og" - Young Mary) in addition to our given names. Only the son of a man named Colin would use the name "mac Colin".

Events and Celebrations of Note

We have a very full year, with meetings not involving an event when we can. Burns Night is an event for poetry, and St. Patrick's Day never goes unnoticed. Our own patron Saint Maolrubha has holidays in both April and August, apropos to a Saint known for curing the insane. Every spring we remember our dead, as fits a family that Christens, marries, and buries its own, and every such occasion marked by a celebration. We participate in several Fairs throughout the year.

Hogmanay

We celebrate Hogmanay (New Year) with an annual Victorian feast in full formal Victorian dress. This is where the Chief gives the State of the Clan Address, and it also serves as our formal awards banquet.

Renaissance Faire

The single most significant event of our year is our participation in the annual Renaissance Faire, now held in Devore. It dominates our calendar with planning for it from early in the year, and continues as the major consideration until tare down ends in June. It is our single largest exposure as a theatrical group, with about three stage shows a day, and continuous craft demonstration through the day.

Other Traditions

Traditions are a constant part of the process of living. You will often hear the line "Once by accident, twice by habit, three times by tradition." This reflects human nature, then and now.

We eat by precedence, with the Chief served first, the daoine uasail (Household heads and Gentles) next, and the rest of us, though if dinner is late we may serve the children first, by his order.

Religion
We are theatrically Catholic, after the demise of the Celtic Catholic Church. While we honor our saints in ways different from what the Pope might expect, we are very Catholic. Being both Irish and Scottish, we have a number of patron saints. When at "Faire", we do not show this much as it is illegal at this time in England, and Catholics are a target.
Pun Tax
Established by our founding Chief, we have a "pun tax" of twenty-five cents for any pun which the Chief hears a groan to, including his own groan (and he will!). It has become a matter of pride with may to have paid large sums. One historic punfest about "beer" went to two hundred seven puns! The Chief occasionally declares a "Pun Amnesty Day", usually at Hogmanay, at which members can pun with impunity and get some of the worst ones off their chest. There is an additional tax for the use of props in a pun, which is frequently paid on the Chief's birthday for a truly magnificent pun with props (fish, livestock, Scotchguard cans -- ask about them)!
Song
We have accumulated a musical tradition as well. We close a day of Fair with singing Amazing Grace, and our last day antics for opening parade include a musical parody. We also have a "fight song" with words written by our members. Our observance of Memorial Day concludes with song.
Oath