<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><BODY BGCOLOR="#ffffff"><FONT SIZE=2>Heraldicly, I always believe that simpler is better. The simplest thing to do, right now, is just to leave the Arms as they are. However, if it is decided that the Arms are to be changed, I would strongly encourage a simpler, not a more complex design. The simplest suggestion so far made (and the most period) is to simply use the Kingdom Arms for both the King and Queen. As someone else pointed out, the Queen's Arms would still be registered to the Kingdom in case any future Queen decided to use them for certain occasions.
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<BR>My main purpose for posting is this. A scallop shell, besides being related to a clam, and thus giving rise to rather adult canting, is widely used in heraldry and other symbolism. Since, as many have pointed out, a scallop is NOT a clam, let's take a look at some other uses of the scallop shell.
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<BR>It's the primary charge of the badge for the Order of the Pearl. As the identifying symbol of our Kingdom's Arts and Sciences order, the scallop should be held in pretty high esteem in our Kingdom.
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<BR>Mundanely, the scallop was used as the pilgrim's badge for those travleing to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. Because this was such a popular pilgimage destination, the scallop shell has now taken on a symbolic meaning of pilgrimage in general.
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<BR>The scallop shell is also used as a symbol to represent the Sacrament of Baptism.
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<BR>Arts & Sciences . . . Pilgrimage . . . Baptism . . . all in all, a pretty honorable and worthy symbol, I believe.
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<BR>If the Crown wants to keep it on the Queen's Arms, I'm fine with that. I'll probably vote to keep the spots off just for aesthetic reasons.
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<BR>Aye,
<BR>Eogan Og
<BR>Sacred Stone Persuivant</FONT></HTML>