ANTILOCAPRA PRONGHORN “QUI ME TANGIT, VOCEM MEAM AUDIT” “WHO TOUCHES ME, HEARS MY VOICE”
AA back-to-back ended up forming what looks like the Knights Templar cross. the shield itself is gold over green representing the sun over the grass and of course the main part of the shield is the blue sky. what's a little more difficult is the fact that the thigh of the 2 pronghorn marching in unison is actually the hoof print and the swirls that make up their body is a pronghorn skull. as for their motto..... can you make an antelope sound?
OVIS MOUNTAIN SHEEP “INDIVISIBILITER AC INSEPARABILITER” “INDIVISIBLE AND INSEPARABLE”
The traditional name Hamal (also written Hemal, Hamul, Ras Hammel) derives from the Arabic رأس الحمل rās al-ħamal "head of the ram", in turn from the name for the constellation as a whole, Al Ħamal "the ram". In ancient Egyptian astronomy, Aries was associated with the god Amon-Ra, who was depicted as a man with a ram's head and represented fertility and creativity. Because it was the location of the vernal equinox, it was called the "Indicator of the Reborn Sun". During the times of the year when Aries was prominent, priests would process statues of Amon-Ra to temples, a practice that was modified by Persian astronomers centuries later. Aries acquired the title of "Lord of the Head" in Egypt, referring to its symbolic and mythological importance. "INDIVISIBLE AND INSEPARABLE" refers to the advantage sheep get in large herds which makes it difficult to be singled out a single sheep. even the sheep's eyes is a not to the eye of ra. and as with the reindeer the ivy colored knot that connects the herd to the food is ever-present and unbroken. and the star holds all the colors of the golden sun, blue sky, brown soil/fur and the green grass, and the symbol on the bottom is that of Aries "the ram's head"
OREAMNOS MOUNTAIN GOAT “STANTE PEDE” “WITH A STANDING FOOT”
“STANTE PEDE”is literally “WITH A STANDING FOOT” and everybody knows the old saying "as sure footed as a goat" but more over it means "right away" or "on the double ". admidtdly i had a lot of fun with this 1 going all out in red and black for the full Baphomet effect and incorporating, at least impart, many elements of the cliché mental goat imagery
BISON BISON “VIRTUS TENTAMINE GAUDET” “STRENGTH REJOICES IN THE CHALLENGE”
simple and to the point from center outwards Sun Sky, Earth and Grass house bison was 1 of the first symbols i did and try as i might to make it more flamboyance or complex nothing i did looked any better then this in-your-face statement. and if you don't like that.... well they are much larger and angrier then you are so deal with it
RANGIFER CARIBOU “QUOT CAPITA TOT SENSUS” “AS MANY HEADS, SO MANY OPINIONS”
Yearly Cycle of Power: Winter Time of Power: Daytime Attributes: Wandering, Navigation, Protection while Traveling, Socialization, Transition through Darkness, Discovering of that which is hidden, Adaptation to the Cold, Staying Afloat i simply could not do reindeer without a Christmas reference from the Backstitch around the Motto to the color scheme. admittedly the book thing just kind of happened. i was almost finished when i thought "the top of this shield looks like it needs a book". the back to back R's are a glowing hue of people and is a reference to the colors of the northern lights. the clan motto as well as the Celtic knots refer to the inter connectivity of the herd
ODOCOILEUS DEER “SIC CURRITE UT COMPREHENDATIS” “SO RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN”
nothing runs like a deer! aside from the same color scheme as almost every large herbivore it also includes a heart as the deer has been associated with Gentleness, Unconditional Love and Kindness. Both Celtic and Native American hunters prayed to the deer to give them a good hunt, and in return promised to take no more than was essential for the survival of the tribe. This helps remind us that our spirit of gentleness and unconditional love should extend to all species, not only our own. Maybe the most effective way to summarize the lessons of these beliefs, is to say that only when we move through life in the spirit of love for all beings can we melt the barriers that separate us from others, from other life forms, and from the beautiful mystery which is our own magical and spiritual gift.
CERVUS ELK “PARVA SUB INGENTI” “THE SMALL UNDER THE HUGE”
the Royal (Purple) Elks symbol is grandiose still including the same Gold/Blue/Green/Brown as the rest of Order Cervidae but in a very much different way. The Damh represents independence, purification, and pride. It is known as the King of the Forest, the protector of its creatures. For time immemorial people have sought to identify with the stag by ceremonially wearing antlered headdresses and imitating the deer's leaping grace. the clan motto is reference to their sociable nature , and family members forage food together along with other family groups, which gives the appearance of a large herd.
ALCES MOOSE “HINC ROBUR ET SECURITAS” “HEREFORE STRENGTH AND SAFETY”
at first site you may only see the rack of 3 moose but if you look closer the 2 in the back are actually head down in a "charging stance" i stuck mainly with red and white as moose are associated with Canada but added a flying sword which plays into the clan motto of HERE-FORE STRENGTH AND SAFETY and a not to the fact that moose are big, surprisingly fast and strong. These antlers can weigh as much as 30 kg. Bulls in their prime (about 10 years) may have antlers that grow to be an incredible 1.8m wide!
A rack (moose antlers) is made of tissue. In fact, this is some of the fastest growing tissue on the animal planet. Moose antlers can grow an inch or more a day! They're also extra-sensitive. Moose can detect the slightest whisper of a breeze, or the tiniest insect hanging out on their rack. Symbolically, this ties into what I mentioned about antlers serving as a sensory perception antenna. This adds to the litany of neat symbolic moose facts. It says something to the effect: "Your perception is your 'crowning' glory.
