Meaning of the MacDougall Crest / Coat of Arms
My area if interest is in the symbolism of our family crest/coat of arms. I’ve found several pages that tell me what the different elements of the crest are, but none that give me the all the meanings behind the symbols. That’s why I decided to research the symbols on my own. Here is some of the information on the research I’ve done on the meaning behind our crest. The terms Crest, Badge and Coat of Arms seem to intertwine, and different sources seem to define them differently (and incorrectly at times).
The Armored Arm: A person with qualities of leadership
The Cross: Actually called a “Cross Crosslet Fitchee”, this cross is actually (4) crosses, and a combination of the cross and sword.
--The (4) crosses symbolize the fourfold mystery of the cross and/or spreading the four gospels to the four corners of the earth. This is said to be a symbol of the Crusaders, as the crusaders would carry large
crosses with pointed ends so they could easily stick them into the ground , kneel and pray before battle.
--The combination of the cross and sword is also considered a symbol of unshakable faith and defenders of the faith.
--The color of the cross being red, symbolizes a Warrior or martyr; Military strength and magnanimity
--The “Cap” that the Armored Arm rests on is call the “Cap of Maintenance” and was granted to Scottish Barons (or Lords) ( shown on the Badge)
--The Armored Helmet symbolizes wisdom and security in defense, also strength, protection, invulnerability. The color blue (or azure) symbolizes truth and loyalty.
--The lions are symbolic of the descent from the Scottish Kings of ancient Dal Riada (Dal Riada was the ancient name for ancient Kingdom of Northeastern Ireland and Western Scotland)
--The Black Galleys are called the Black Galleys of Lorn symbolizing descent from the royal house of the Norse (the King of Norway)
Where I got this info from:
http://www.spbts.org/windows/frontdoors.htm
http://www.stpaulhavre-zionchinook.com/Welcome!_files/The%20Crosses.html
http://www.familynamesonline.com/crosses1.html
http://www.americancollegeofheraldry.org/achsymbols.html
http://stots.edu/article.php?id=52
The meanings behind the symbols lead me to believe that our ancestors were defenders of Christianity, and fought in the Crusades. One article I have says the MacDougalls “Carried with them into battle, a crystal ball brought back from the Crusades and renowned for its magical properties”.
This brings me to another area of interest, the Knights Templar. First of all, in 1306, Robert the Bruce stabbed and killed a kinsman of the MacDougalls in a Monastery, and wash banished from the Church for shedding blood in the house of God. The Knights Templar were being hunted down and arrested at that time, and had to flee to escape persecution by the church. The place where they supposedly fled to was Scotland, where the Pope no longer had authority. The place where they would have landed was on the shores of Argyll, the lands of the MacDougalls. (scroll down to the “(4) Scotland: The Scots Guard”)
http://www.mystae.com/restricted/streams/masons/mysteries.html
The MacDougalls had created a sanctuary for Monks called Ardchattan Priory , 70 years before this.
This is stated in the History section:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_MacDougall
Now look at the pictures of some of the grave stones:
http://www.darkisle.com/a/ardchattan/ardchattan.html
http://www.darkisle.com/a/ardchattan/ardchattanstones.html
notice the skull and cross bones? The webpage says that this is a symbol of mortality. This is also a symbol of the Freemasons (what the Templars eventually became)
scroll down to pages 8 & 9 on this article
http://www.msthomas.com/thomas-files/SpectatorSummer04new.pdf#search='The%20Priory%20of%20Ardchattan%20knights%20templars'
This article also mentions Saddell Abbey, as founded by Somerled
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somerled
This is an article about Robert the Bruce and Bannonckburn and how the battle was supposedly won by the Scots with the help of the Knights Templar…
http://www.bessel.org/helmer/bruce.htm
Now, what does all this information really mean? That’s up for discussion, but my feeling is that the MacDougalls were definitely involved in the Crusades. I also believe that the MacDougalls (at least some) where members of the Knights Templar. Ardchattan Priory was supposedly the burial site of the MacDougall chiefs, yet there are also Templar and Freemason graves. The Templars supposedly dissolved and reformed into The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. (I’m sure of this after reading the book “The Temple and the Lodge)
http://www.amazon.com/Temple-Lodge-Michael-Baigent/dp/1559701269
Searching for information on MacDougalls as Freemasons is just as hard, although I have found some articles that show MacDougalls listed as elevated members of various Masonic Lodges and organizations.
http://www.masonicpaedia.org/showarticle.asp?id=69
http://www.mainemason.org/resources/instructormanual/index.asp
http://www.supremecouncil.org/newsEvents/WebberObit.asp
http://www.orindalodge.org/faq.php
http://www.freemasons.ab.ca/officers.html
(scroll to section II)
http://www.grandlodgens.org/glns/hist/shorthist/shista.php
I'm very interested discussing this topic with others....