lady's tartan sash, or be tied to a pole and used as a standard. Clans which are connected historically, or that occupied lands in the same general area, may share the same clan badge. According to popular lore, clan badges were used by Scottish clans as a form of identification in battle. However, the badges attributed to clans today can be completely unsuitable for even modern clan gatherings. Clan badges are commonly referred to as the original clan symbol. However, Thomas Innes of Learney claimed the heraldic flags of clan chiefs would have been the earliest means of identifying Scottish clans in battle or at large gatherings. See also Notes References Sources Further reading External links The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs The Court of the Lord Lyon – the official heraldic authority of Scotland The Scottish Register of Tartans – official Scottish government database of tartan registrations, established in 2009 The Scottish Tartans Authority – Scottish registered charity and the only extant private organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of tartans Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA, US-based) The Scottish Australian Heritage Council "Scottish Clans and Families"" – clans registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon (unofficial list via the Electric Scotland website) SkyeLander: Scottish History Online blog by Robert M. Gunn