Above is a version of the Clan MacLennan Crest and the Shield, and both are a part off what‘s called the Achievement. The shield tells a story about the person or family who owns the Crest and is probably the most important part of the Coat Of Arms. The MacLennan Shield has a top blue panel - on a chief Azure - and on that blue panel is a deer’s head and two gold Crowns - stag’s head cabossed between two antique crowns. The lower portion of the shield is gold - Or - and has a red heart - heart Gules - between two black nails - between two passion nails conjoined in base Sable. So the correct reading of the Clan MacLennan shield is: Or, a heart Gules between two passion nails conjoined in base Sable, on a chief Azure a stag’s head cabossed between two antique crowns, all of the First. So, what does all this mean and why the funny language? The explanation for the MacLennan Achievement is written so that a long time ago, anyone, anywhere who is familiar with Coats of Arms would be able to understand just by the written description - the written heraldic language - the "blazon" - what the Coat Of Arms looks like. There were no cameras or large books where drawing of every Coat Of Arms could be stored so “Blazon” was created and is a strange looking mixture of English and French and sometimes Gaelic. It is not as precise as a picture of photo and five different heraldic artists may draw 5 different pictures of a Coat of Arms by reading the “Blazon” but all five Coat Of Arms should be similar. And there are families overseas in Scotland, Ireland, Spain and England who know who the read the language of Coats of Arms as they also have their own Achievements. The Crest is another part of the Achievement and the Coat Of Arms and included everything above the Helmet. So on the MacLennan of MacLennan Crest that would include the Wreath which in usually Red and Gold, the Demi Piper (½ of a man) who is wearing the MacLennan Tartan and the Motto - and all of this is worn an a Strap and Buckle made out of some type of metal which makes up the Crest pin that you see many MacLennans wearing as a pin. The Crest is also what can be printed or sewn onto a cap, shirt or bag to look cool.
Dum Spiro Spero - While I Breath, I Hope This the saying or the motto that MacLennans have for centuries lived by and it means that as long as you are breathing, there is hope - in other words, never give up! Do you have a personal motto that you live by? Send it in to us, tell us why you chose your motto, how you live by your motto and the best personal motto will win a prize. Also, last month we received only two pictures from kids who created their own personal Coat Of Arms. If you are feeling really creative, draw us your own Coat Of Arms and sent it to us for a prize and don’t forget to tell us all about it.On the MacLennan of MacLennan Coat Of Arms are two full-sized and complete Pipers dressed in MacLennan Tartan, each facing inward and each touching the shield. These Pipers are called Supporters and not all Coat Of Arms have Supporters as they are a sign of nobility and royalty and so most arms do not include them. Chief Ronald was given several awards and was then allowed to add supporters to his Coat Of Arms when he became Chief of Clan MacLennan. When you draw your Coat Of Arms, will you add supporters, will you add animals, people, objects? Send us your Coat Of Arms and tell us all about it and next month we’ll tell you what your Coat Of Arms really means! 
