Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 01/10/2026The nobori here was displayed as part of my heraldic talk at the Scottish-Japanese cultural festival in Dumfries earlier this year, where Lord Lyon and I were honoured to be joined by the Japanese Consul General Mr Katsutoshi Takeda. 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 01/10/2026The nobori is a unique traditional flag - vertical in orientation - which maximises the visibility of the kamon it bears by having a cross bar holding the flag out. It developed from the earlier nagarebata which features a central vertical pole, more akin to European gonfannons. 101
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 01/10/2026🎌 As it is World Vexillology Day I thought I would share both an international inspired flag design and an international flag form; a Japanese nobori flag featuring my Kamon inspired emblazonment of the Scottish lion rampant. 110
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026The organising staff invited me to present this to the Principal following the burial of a new time capsule - the capsule linking the present to the College's future - as a nice way of connecting the historic arms to events of the day 010
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I thought it would be fitting to draw the College's badge - based on the arms of King Edward VI - in my style, using the Tudor crown in the way it was styled heraldically during Edward VI's reign. It is all placed on a background of the stained glass in the library 110
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I was honoured to be invited back to my old College and participate in a panel discussion as part of this last weekend's anniversary celebrations of their Sixth Form status. I also had a little surprise to gift to the College and Principal for the occasion as well. 110
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Elsewhere in the book his experiments with an emoji emblazonment style are inspired and demonstrate the potential for contemporary heraldic development. 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Always a pleasure to see new emblazonments of my arms by other artists, this one having been done by David Robert Wooten in his book 'Illacerstrationes Heraldicæ'. It is particularly nice to see my arms here amongst those of so many others all done in this fun & clear style. 100
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 07/08/2026⏱️ Found this beautiful Victorian Dumfries-made pocket watch and had it restored to working order. However, I have some further, heraldic plans for it. It's just a matter of time... 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 31/07/2026That was not the only historic part of the day, with the dedication of the Clan's original Bearing Sword and the swearing in of a new Chieftain. I am very thankful for the invitation and subsequent hospitality of the Clan. 010
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 31/07/2026It was an honour to be invited, not just to witness and serve as Master of Ceremonies, but to participate in the signing of a declaration of friendship between 5 Scottish clans; MacEwen, Irving, Hunter, Grant and Carruthers. 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 31/07/2026🪶🪶🪶 You can see from the three feathers in the caps, that the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire & I are surrounded by several clan chiefs at last Friday's @realclanhunter Gathering. 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Not off the top of my head and I think it's likely that it is not one with any official status in Scotland (though reserve the right to be wrong on that, especially on a Friday evening!) 020
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 20/07/2026At the conclusion of my presentation I revealed an alternative anime inspired (specifically 'Tojima wants to be a Kamen Rider') title - 'Tibbetts wants to be a Hata Bugyo' - and poster (courtesy of @addrianodivino.bsky.social) of manga drawn heralds which I share here for your amusement now 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 20/07/2026🏴🤝🏻🇯🇵 It was a great privilege to be invited to talk on the heraldic systems of both nations this weekend at JetAA Scotland's Japan-Scotland Community Cultural Festival 2026, and a particular honour to have the Consul-General of Japan in Edinburgh in the audience. 101
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Thanks to the brilliant artist, @addrianodivino.bsky.social for turning me into anime to create a fun poster referencing one of my favourite Japanese TV shows for the occasion (I look forward to sharing more on this from him after the talk!) 020
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Held at Dumfries' Easterbrook Hall next month, this is the first time I will have given this talk and will be sharing insights from my research as well as some brand new artwork. 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 22/06/2026🇯🇵🤝🏻🏴 Delighted to share that I've been asked to talk on 'The Distinct Differences and Surprising Similarities between Japanese & Scottish Heraldry' at next months JETAA Scotland's Japan-Scotland Community Cultural Festival 130
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 08/06/2026Here the 'no entry' part of the sign is styled to reference the 'double tressure flory counter flory' that surrounds Scotland's lion rampant. The red and gold colours further recall the Scottish arms, with the old gold shade being a nod to the Ghostbusters uniforms. 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 08/06/2026👻 "Don't cross the streams"... have them "in saltire" instead on Ghostbusters Day today! 🏴 Inspired by Dan Aykroyd's comments about the potential of future Ghostbuster stories being set in Scotland, I thought it would be fun to try and create a Scottish version of the logo. 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 25/05/2026🦄🦁🐲 In the latest example of heraldry rubbing off on my daughter, without any encouragement from me, she's assembled a main fighting team of heraldic creatures - Unicorn, Lion & Dragon - in her new videogame! 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 16/05/2026Fantastic, thank you for sharing that. It's quite fascinating that whilst the forms of Japanese heraldry can be quite different, that there can be some striking similarities in the function with which they are used. In this instance being carried like Roman vexils 110
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 15/05/2026On a separate but related note, I look forward to sharing an exciting update regarding my own exploration of Japanese heraldry soon. 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 15/05/2026🎌 Last Friday the Lord Lyon hosted the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh at The Court of the Lord Lyon and I was delighted to play a small role as the Court's Honorary Vexillologist by providing a flag to be displayed for the occasion. 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 11/05/2026This display of coats of arms and flags could well have been one of the most colourful sights amongst the already incredibly colourful Edinburgh Tartan Parade! A very stirring image from a celebratory occasion. 052
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 09/04/2026Not only has she clearly picked up a lot on the subject, but she had a go at drawing her own heraldic unicorn and featured a picture of her with her favourite Officer of Arms (obviously I'm not my daughter's favourite Officer of Arms when there is a Unicorn Pursuivant!) 020
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 09/04/2026🦄 When asked to make a Scottish information poster at school earlier this year my Unicorn mad daughter made one all about Scotland's national animal, which I thought I'd share for National Unicorn Day. 150
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 31/03/2026My very talented mother-in-law has made a custom bag for carrying my uniform baton to and from duty. Fittingly made from Border Tartan, my wife then also added the March Pursuivant badge as a finishing touch. A wonderfully symbolic accessory that will be handed down to future holders of the office. 020
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 25/03/2026An elvish helm is used, around which a cloak is draped to serve as the mantling. A Elvish style pennon displays the motto, written in Sindaril, with the crest adapted as a finial. This is all displayed on a hand drawn map as a reminder that "not all who wander are lost". 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 25/03/2026As such the shield is in the form of a lozenge in accordance with the design of Silmarils, whilst the voided escutcheon within is styled to be reminiscent of an Elvish war shield. I have opted for an ermine spot and spacing to suit the Elvish aesthetic. 100
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 25/03/2026To celebrate I am delighted to share my Middle Earth inspired emblazonment of the real arms of Mícheál Seosamh Ó Coigligh with whom I enjoyed working (and nerding out) to meet the real world blazon combined with the principles Tolkien developed for the Silmaril heraldry of the Elves. 100
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 25/03/2026🛡️ A day may come of shattered shields... "But it is not this day!" No, this is #TolkienReadingDay ! 110
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 20/03/2026🇳🇿 Not an especially heraldic flower, but with their vexillological inspired name 'Blue Ensign', these Pulmonaria have certainly flagged the arrival of spring for this March! 011
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 11/03/2026🚭 For No Smoking Day I thought I'd share this heraldic version of the anti-smoking symbol that I once whipped up as a tongue in cheek experiment; shown here pressed into service at a Heraldry Society of Scotland event. Thanks to @bob.omg.lol for the photograph. 130
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Compared to my previous post last International Heraldry Day this showcases just a redrawn lion rampant; still drawing inspiration from legendary Komainu for the lion rampant, surrounded by monshō style irises for the flory tressure and set upon a background of Nihon tartan 010
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 23/02/2026As it is the Birthday of the Emperor of Japan, I thought today would be a good opportunity to showcase the royal Scottish arms as emblazoned in a Japanese monshō influenced style Warmest wishes to the Emperor and the Japanese nation on this day 🎌 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 15/02/2026My banner of arms is but only as long as it's rotated 180° rather than being flipped vertically! 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 02/02/2026Not only was living in @aarhuskommune.bsky.social a fun experience, but I was greatly inspired by the positive culture around flags & symbols in Denmark - I even attempted my first heraldic designs whilst there - which inspires my work to this day. 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 02/02/2026Here it is shown being used years later at my wedding reception where it identified the table for all the friends I made from my time there. 100
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 02/02/2026My emblazonment of the county of Aarhus' original banner of arms, posted today in honour of the 20th anniversary of arriving there to start my Erasmus placement at @aarhusuniint.bsky.social 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 16/01/2026Kinross-shire has launched a consultation about potentially running a flag design competition. The survey is looking for people - all people but especially those from the county and surrounding areas - to input through the link below 000
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 16/01/2026One of those staff members @heraldicartist.bsky.social is also on here 010
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 16/01/2026The Lyon Court itself does have an office staff that handle legal and administrative issues, headed up by Lyon himself, who do get salaries 130
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 16/01/2026Happy to report that Marchmont Herald is also here at @adamrbruce.bsky.social Officers of Arms here in Scotland frequently have day jobs. Often in law or business, and one is currently in the NHS. Ordinaries get a peppercorn payment, whilst Extraordinaries like me do not get any payment. 140
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 09/01/2026I loved him bringing his fun, loose and free spirited - almost Quentin Blake inspired - style (as exemplified in his artists mark) to my arms. A wonderful example of how varied heraldic art should be. Perhaps I should share more versions of my arms by other artists. 020
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 09/01/2026Whilst giving is always better than receiving, as per my last post, it is nonetheless very nice to get a heraldic gift. This Christmas I was touched to get these hand painted emblazonments from @bob.omg.lol 140
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 29/12/2025It's always better to give than receive; heraldic gifts too. This year I used my daughter's love of Arthuriana as the excuse! A Guinevere-esque portrait by Luke Anderson and her first heraldry book - a King Arthur Armorial - which I'll have to see if I can borrow from her myself! 030
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 22/12/2025This Wall of Honour - and the similar example I witnessed at Tundegarth Kirk earlier this year - shows the story of the ties across Scotland, Britain and the World that came from the Disaster. A moving example of the power symbols can have when used together. 010
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 22/12/2025Given our work with symbols it was a privilege to be invited to yesterday's event on the anniversary of the Lockerbie Bombing and witness the laying of emblems by those organisations that responded to the disaster. 120
Philip Tibbetts @vextibbetts.bsky.social · 15/12/2025A festive and moving vexillological display in this Christmas wreath - which I was delighted to see when visiting the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum recently - featuring the national flags of those nations who lost people in the bombing of PAA103 030