[antir-heralds] Charge question: Platypus

[Leslie Schweitzer]

I'm not personally aware of any changes to this policy or of any new discoveries of when Western Europeans knew about Australian flora and fauna.

Some post-1988 references to the fact that Australia flora and fauna are outside the scope of the SCA:

Ancient Egyptian names thus appear to be outside the scope and domain of the SCA, much as Australian flora and fauna or Australian aboriginal names are. (3/95)

On or after August 15, 1989, no submission may be registered which contains any item which is known solely from Australia prior to 1600. (CL 8 Aug 89) - presumably also, the cover letter goes more into details...

Zenobia Black Stag

> Is this still in effect so that a member can use a platypus as a charge?
> 
> ------------------------------------------
> 
> While a number of commenter objected strenuously to the use of a beast
> unknown to western Europe in period, the wording of the current rules
> dictates acceptance of the platypus as a charge: "Objects, living
> things, or design elements not normally used in heraldry, ... but were
> known to humanity prior to 1601, may be accepted as charges on a
> case-by-case basis. The guideline for acceptability is whether there is
> one recognizable form." It would indeed be offensive to deny that the
> aboriginal natives of Australia are a subset of humanity.... The issue
> then is reduced to whether there is a single recognizable form for a
> platypus: since there is, the charge must be accepted. (LoAR Aug 88, p.
> 3)
> 
> -------------------------------------------
> 
> Thanks you in advance,
> Tristram
> 
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