<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/0e1920e8-43ea-4589-a1fd-25c69fd7cf72/0037f753-86d8-4ee1-9e71-30b9ccea4dee/info.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/0e1920e8-43ea-4589-a1fd-25c69fd7cf72/0037f753-86d8-4ee1-9e71-30b9ccea4dee/info.png" width="40px" /> Under Scottish heraldic law a coat of arms is awarded to an individual (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). There is no such thing as a ‘family coat of arms’ The arms represented below are personal arms. Only the individual granted these arms has the right to use them.
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2023 Dr Stafford Lumsden
My coat of arms encompasses numerous armorial symbols found in the personal arms of many members of the Clan Lumsden stretching back to 16th century Scotland. The wolf, belt buckle, and scallop all featured in early drafts, heavily influenced by Sir James Lumsden and William Lumsden’s arms.
Escutcheon: Quarterly Azure and Argent:
In the first quarter, a sunflower Proper with a gemmed centre.
Ambition and Dedication: The sunflower's growth and determination to face the sun represents ambition, focus, and dedication.
In the second quarter, a wolf's head erased Argent.
Sharp Intellect and Instinct: The wolf, as a keen hunter with sharp instincts, represents intelligence, cunning, and strategic prowess.
The wolf appears on all but one of the Lumsden arms either in the shield or, in the case of the Clan’s current Chief, as a supporter.
In the third quarter, a salmon naiant Or.
Knowledge and Learning In Heraldry, the fish, particularly the salmon due to its association with ancient Druidic lore, can represent wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration.
In the fourth quarter, an escallop Or.
Traveller: The escallop can indicate someone who has travelled far or to foreign lands, whether for exploration, diplomacy, or battle. It might be granted in arms as a symbol of distinguished service abroad.
While the belt buckle appears on the majority of arms from the 16th century onwards and might symbolise things like fidelity and loyalty, protection, preparedness, authority, or represent achievement and merit, it is far from the most recognisable heraldic symbols, and requires the viewer to consider exactly what it is. One of the key qualities I wanted to include in my arms was ease of understanding.
Crest: On a torse of Azure and Argent, an eagle displayed Argent.
Freedom and High Perspective: The eagle's ability to soar at great heights connects it with freedom and a broader perspective or vision. This ties into the idea of clarity, inspiration, and prophecy.
Ultimately, I wanted to retain the symbolism, but create a more modern conceptualisation, or at least as modern as a coat of arms can be. From the 16th and early 17th Centuries I take the Sea eagle. Rather than have it included within the escutcheon, it sits atop the helm and arms as the crest, similar to those found in 19th and 20th century Lumsden arms. However, unlike these more recent iterations mine is displayed argent (white) like the 1582 arms of Lumsdaine of Blanerne:
Interestingly, the traditional Scottish crest is found on only two of the arms; Alexander Lumsden’s in 1680 and the Clan Chief’s along side the sea eagle eating the Salmon.
Gillem Lumsden, Chief of the Name and Arms of Lumsden (The House of Lumsden)
Issuant from a crest coronet Or a naked arm grasping a sword Proper. (Wikipedia)
Helmet: A helm affronty, mantled Azure doubled Or.
Supporters: Dexter, a Korean maiden garbed in Korean Hanbok Azure trimmed with Argent, crined Or; Sinister, a gentleman garbed in a period academic regalia Sable, trimmed with Or, holding a scroll Argent.
Another modern take is to have human supporters to the left and right of the shield. Based on my research, this is a first among Lumsden arms with only animals appearing previously - the Red Lion of Scotland and either the wolf or a boar. To the right of the arms here stands a Korean woman in Hanbok representing both the considerable time I spent living in Korea and the union, through my marriage, of the Clan to Korean culture (by extension, you could say it represents my wife).
To the left (sinister) appears an academic full regalia and surrounded by books and other various acroutermment of teaching and research. This is a clear reflection of the importance I place on scholarship. The figure could even be me if it were wearing lasses.
Motto: On a scroll below the shield, the phrase "AMOR PATITUR MORAS" (Latin "Love endures delays").
Other Details: Interwoven in the mantling and around the supporters are decorative foliate scrolls in Or and Azure, interspersed with orbs Argent.