What Does Tartan Mean?

Tartan is a patterned cloth consisting of criss-crossed, horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Scottish tartans usually represent a clan whilst Irish tartans usually represent the county or region where a clan originated.

What does tartan symbolize?

For several centuries, tartan remained part of the everyday garb of the Highlander. Whilst tartan was worn in other parts of Scotland, it was in the Highlands that its development continued and so it became synonymous with the symbol of clan kinship.

What is the difference between a tartan and a plaid?

Plaid and tartan both contain horizontal and vertical lines that intersect at 90 degree angles. ... So the most important difference for people in the US to note between tartan and plaid is that tartan is plaid associated with a clan. Whereas plaid holds no association with a historic clan.