The Clan Crest
Clan Crests are a unique symbol of individual clans. Their origin stems from the medieval European traditions of heraldic symbolism whereby individuals could be identified by the wearing of ‘arms’. The crest itself can be any real of imaginary object and is almost always facing to the left unless described otherwise. This crest is a component of the full coat of arms and sits atop the helmet and beneath the motto & escrol.
The clan crest badge borrows some of the items from the arms above; the crest, the wreath (and or crown, cap, coronet etc) and the motto. It was tradition that a clan chief would issue his followers with a metal badge of his clan’s crest. This was attached to the clothing by means of a leather belt. When the badge was taken off the belt would be coiled around it and this has formed the origin of the crest image today.