C-CL530 Lion Rampant
The Lion Rampant has been the symbol of Scottish Monarchs since at least the time of Alexander II and the 1220s. ‘Rampant’ is a heraldic term for a beast standing on its hind legs, with raised claws, poised ready to strike. It represents the courage, bravery and ferocity of the Scots. Size Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CL531: Thistle
The thistle has been a national symbol of Scotland since at least the time of James III. As the Renaissance took hold of Scotland, the thistle became an important decorative motif throughout the country, coming to represent the picturesque and hardy qualities of the Scottish landscape and people. Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CL532: Bagpiper
The piper is an icon of Scotland, long associated with the Highlands way of life and clan culture. Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CL550: Machine
Does life sometimes feel like a grind? Don’t let it – and *them* – grind you down, with this unique cap badge. Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CLIR530: Irish Shamrock
An Irish Shamrock surrounded in a traditional Claddagh motif. The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland and especially of St Patrick. Size 20mm by 21mm.
C-CLIR531: Irish Harp
An Irish Harp surrounded in a traditional Claddagh motif. The harp was a pan-Gaelic and Brythonic symbol, familiar in Ireland, Highland Scotland, Wales and Brittany, In Gaelic Scotland and Ireland, the-wire stringed instrument was the courtly instrument favoured by chiefs, before the popularisation of the bagpipes in the middle ages. Size 20mm by 21mm.
C-CL540: Brittany
Brittany in north western France was settled by the Britons of the West Country from the fourth century to the ninth. Its language is very close to Cornish, and the people are recognised as one of the six Celtic Nations. There is a strong piping tradition in Brittany. Alongside the two local types of bagpipe, the Great Highland Bagpipe has been adopted since the end of the Second World War. The crest of Brittany is of an ermine, or stoat, with an ermine cape, the traditional symbol of the Dukes of Brittany. The motto translates as ‘it will never be stained’. Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CLDRAG: Welsh Dragon
The national symbol of Wales, the dragon is one of the earliest ‘national’ emblems to emerge in the British Isles, first being mentioned in around the year 829. In that famous story King Vortigern’s attempts to build a castle at Dinas Emrys are mysteriously foiled, until the boy Merlin reveals that two dragons are fighting below the ground – a red dragon and a white dragon. Freed from the ground, the red dragons triumphs over the white, and this was interpreted to foretell of the eventual victory of the Britons over the Anglo-Saxons. Size 24mm x 17mm.
C-CL534: Eagle
Scotland is home to a large variety of birds of prey. Two types of eagle can be seen, the huge Sea Eagle (the white-tailed eagle) and the slightly smaller Golden Eagle. Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CL535: Stag
There are two native deer types in Scotland, the Roe Deer and the Red Deer. The Red Deer is the largest indigenous land mammal to survive in Britain and are icons of the Highlands, especially the famous Monarch of the Glen. Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CL533: St Andrew
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. He was an apostle and was crucified on an X-shaped cross, as he did not deem himself worthy to be executed in the same way as Jesus. The relics of Andrew are said to have been collected by St Rule (or Regulus) and brought to Scotland, to the important religious centre now called St Andrews. A story goes that before King Oengus II led a Scottish and Pictish army to victory over the English in 832AD, a white cross was seen in the sky, and was taken as evidence of the intervention of Andrew in the Scottish triumph. This is said to be the origin of the Scottish Flag (the saltire) and Andrew being the kingdom’s patron saint. Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CL507: Clergy
This lapel pin was designed for the use of clergymen and those associated with the Kirk of Scotland. It shows the Burning Bush from the Book of Exodus and the Latin motto NEC TAMEN CONSUMEBATUR ‘Yet it was not consumed’, which is the unofficial, but widely used, emblem for the Church of Scotland. Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CL508: Masonic
Size 25mm x 19mm
C-CL524: Firefighters
Size 20mm x 20mm
C-CL535: Law Enforcement
Size 24mm x 18mm