Philip Tibbetts
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vextibbetts.bsky.social
Philip Tibbetts
@vextibbetts.bsky.social
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March Pursuivant Extraordinary & Honorary Vexillologist at the Lyon Court | Communities Vexillologist at the Flag Institute | All views my own
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For an artist mark I wanted to recall my own arms & banner, as well as referencing my passion for adapting heraldry in novel ways. As such I have used a monshō inspired version of my own two chains in a spiral; here being two intertwined futatsu-domoe made of 'shima' chains.
In this piece I use a Hungarian Sabre in the shield & a pheon finial in the crest as additional ways to incorporate the individual's heritage, as I am always keen to do. It also features my first barred helm & the patron sourced an image of folk patterns on which to display it.
For #InternationalArtistsDay I wanted to share a recent commission, and it felt particularly apt to display this one which is the first to include my own artist mark, which the patron of this piece had encouraged me to develop.
Homemade by a local clanswoman to a wonderfully high standard - even featuring re-attachable plant badges to maximise repairability - I am delighted to see my artwork realised with such pride and craft.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇦🇺
Last weekend during the Canberra Highland Gathering this first Pinsel (for at least 575 years) of a Chief of MacEwen was flown at a special ceremony appointing the Chief’s High Commissioner for Oceania
Seen here in Australian skies is a special type of flag used by Scottish Clan Chiefs, known as a pinsel, which may be flown in a Chief's absence by a delegated representative.
Berwickshire hosted a commemoration for the Burning of the Merse during the Rough Wooing this weekend in the village of Whitsome. A symbolic pyre was lit that evening. A fitting and evocative end to a thought proving day of remembrance and reconciliation.
With the Lyon Court's happy announcement today of the appointment of a new Kintyre Pursuivant - the first for a quarter of a century - this is how the line up of Scottish Officers of Arms now looks; personal shields displayed below each office badge.
The background is in a shade utilised by Japanese sky blue 'sorario' flags, like Shiga Prefecture (which happens to correspond closely to Air Force Blue).
Here two monshō styled 'kumo' clouds are shaped into the form of an intertwined 'futatsu-domoe' swirls. This of course sees them cross in a broadly X shape in the centre.
The legend of the Saltire's origin is of course as two crossed clouds in the sky. Here I have attempted to depict that as 'two swirls of cloud crossing each other'.
Happy International Vexillology Day 🎌

In the same spirit & theme as my post on International Heraldry Day, I thought it would be particularly appropriate to share my current thinking on how the Scottish Saltire would look had it been realised as a Japanese monshō 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇯🇵
General precedence protocol would have a sovereign nation's flag on the leftmost - more senior pole - above a non sovereign territory. However, in this sporting context the two entities are competing as equals; so Europe has been given precedence here as the location of the flag display.
It is not yet dark but the sky is already full of stars for the start of golf's Ryder Cup! 🇪🇺 vs 🇺🇲

Best of luck to #TeamEurope
I fear I've blown their otherwise perfect cover 😅
You're too kind, but thank you. Flags and symbolism are a language and I hope to demonstrate the power in the breadth of this *in addition* to that power in the depth of feeling
🏴‍☠️ For national 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' I thought I'd post this photo from the unveiling of the Girvan Flag where it appears a pirate flying the Jolly Roger was (probably) about to make it's escape from the law behind me!
This time last week I was in the stunning surroundings of Carlisle Cathedral, in my capacity with The Flag Institute, to witness the unveiling of the regional community flag for Cumbria; presented to the Lord Lieutenant in a sweet ceremony by the Wetheral Brownies.
Shown together like this they symbolise not only the identity of the organisations, but a unique bond between them born of these tragic circumstances.
A very moving display of heraldry and other emblems in Tundergarth Kirk, for #opendoorsday yesterday, of many of the organisations that assisted in the aftermath of the PAA103 bombing.
Not only is this a fantastic vexillological sight, but it is a great demonstration of the Scottish tradition of 'stem' arms of a chief from which Clansmen derived related but different designs.
This display shows the flags of Clansmen and Chiefs of (from left to right) Clan Irving - whose holly leaf banner was drawn by yours truly - Clan Carruthers and Clan MacEwen
Even off duty I cannot help but be drawn to a great flag display, especially one right on my doorstep with yesterday's Border Gathering in Annan
The gown is then tied together with an Obi belt, the knot of which often has a purpose and meaning as well. The knot that was tied for me allows for the wearer to carry a katana, which made me feel very heroic!
The fabric I wore included an example of a Wagara pattern. Specifically the interlocking diamond chain motif is known as Yoshiwara Shima and symbolises community; which I felt was very apt for my community flag work.