Clan Buchanan Mottoes, Slogans and War Cry
A slogan is used in Scottish heraldry as a heraldic motto or a secondary motto, where the Chief's motto usually appears above the crest on a coat of arms and, where a secondary motto has been approved for a person, it appears beneath the shield.
The word slogan dates from 1513. It is a variant of the earlier slughorn, which was an anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm (sluagh "army", "host" + gairm "cry").
There are several possible origins for mottoes used in heraldry. They may have originated from battle cries or war cries or may refer to a rallying point for the clan.
The Clan Buchanan War Cry "Clar Innis" refers to the clan's island meeting place in the hour of danger, Clairinch, granted in 1225 by Maldouen, third Earl of Lennox, for services rendered by the Clan Chief, Absalon, the son of MacBed. We call this war cry out at clan gatherings to show that the clan is present.
The Chief's motto is "Clarior Hinc Honos" Latin for "Brighter Hence the Honour" or “Hence the greater honour.” We see this on the belt and buckle crest badge worn by members of the clan as a symbol of loyalty. Though we know when it was first used, it apears to be officially recorded by our 19th chief; Sir John Buchanan (1630 – 1681).
Armigers of the clan have their own motto on their coats of arms. These are usually a response to the Chief's motto.
Most of the mottoes are in Latin (from when this was the language of the court, the church, the educated and upper levels of society)
but some are in English and one of the latest mottoes is in Gaelic.
Buchanan Mottoes
Buchanan of Achleshie & Arnprior:
”Virtute gladii parvi / Nobilis est ira leonis”
Above the Shield: By virtue of the small sword
Below the Shield: The lion's anger is noble
Buchanan of Ardoch:
”Clariora sequor”
I follow brighter things
Buchanan, Cadet of Leny
”Junabitur audax”
Delight in the bold
Buchanan of Milton:
”Ducitur Hinc Honos”
Hence honour is derived
Buchanan of Drumhead
”Par Sit Fortuna Labori”
Let the success be equal to the labour
Buchanan of Drumpellier:
”Audaces juvo”
I assist the bold
Buchanan of Ballat:
”Sanguine inscribam”
I will write it in blood
Buchanan:
”Nuntius pacis”
The messenger of peace
Gray-Buchanan of Scotstoun:
”Clariora sequor / Fast”
I pursue brighter things [Buchanan] / Fast [Gray]
Fergusson-Buchanan of Auchentorlie:
”Dulcius ex asperis”
Sweeter after difficulties
Buchanan-Dunlop Cadet of Drumhead:
”E Spinis”
From the thorns
Murray-Buchanan of Leny:
”Ex bello quies”
Rest from war
Lonn Clark Buchanan, Canada:
”For God and duty”
Arthur William Patrick Buchanan, Canada:
”Audaces juvo”
I assist the bold
Erskine Brock Quirin Buchanan, Canada:
”Audaces juvo”
I assist the bold
Charles Macdonald Lloyd Buchanan, Canada
”Von Not Kommt Starcke” (German)
Out of adversity, strength
Major Stephen Buchanan, Australia:
”Soilleire Ann An Criosd” (Gaelic)
Brightest in Christ
Buchanan Chirurgeon and Baillie of Stirling:
”Secundo curo”
I prosper and am careful
Buchanan-Smith:
”Macte”
Blessed be thou
Buchanan of Drummakill:
”God with my right”
Buchanan, Cadet of Drummakill:
”Audax omnia perpeti”
Daring to endure all things
Buchanan, Cadet of Drummakill:
”Pro me si merior in me”
For me or against me
Buchanan, Cadet of Drummakill:
”Veritas vincit”
Truth will conquer
Leith-Buchanan of Ross Priory & Drummakill:
”Trusty to the End / God with my Right”
Buchanan of Carbeth:
”Audacia et industria”
By boldness and hard work
Buchanan of Dunburgh, Bt:
”Nunquam victus”
Never conquered
John Young Buchanan:
”Audax omnia perpeti”
Bold to endure all things
MacDonald-Buchanan of Strathconon:
”Bibi si sapis”
Drink if you are wise