At least you got a bird that flies. Pity us New Zealanders. Our national bird is a bleeding noctural, short, squat, half blind thing that "eats roots and leaves".
must.....not.....make.....cheap joke....
At least you got a bird that flies. Pity us New Zealanders. Our national bird is a bleeding noctural, short, squat, half blind thing that "eats roots and leaves".
A 'bull moose', presumably?Maybe a moose...
Moose are cool.
That was the decision made in my own [unfortunately far from complete, in fact -- because I subsequently realised how much more research I needed to do -- barely even started] 'Wider Stili And Wider' TL.I think a mountain lion would be an ideal symbol for the colonies if they stuck with Britain. The British lion, on American terms.
Except that we call them 'Elk'...I know that moose are found in America(I've seen them here myself), but they're also found across Eurasia.
What do you mean ? Apart from the stars and nimbus used as crest which might be a bit unusual, the US COA conforms completely with them.
That was the decision made in my own [unfortunately far from complete, in fact -- because I subsequently realised how much more research I needed to do -- barely even started] 'Wider Stili And Wider' TL.
Except that we call them 'Elk'...
![]()
The RCMP uses it.
The Europeans choice - Skunk
The badass choice - Racoon
Need. Not. Apply.
the hell are you talking about? kiwis are awesome!At least you got a bird that flies. Pity us New Zealanders. Our national bird is a bleeding noctural, short, squat, half blind thing that "eats roots and leaves".
moose and elk are two different thingsExcept that we call them 'Elk'...![]()
must.....not.....make.....cheap joke....
moose and elk are two different things
The wise choice - owl![]()
True, but BALD eagles are visibly and distinctively an American riff on that.The Bald Eagle is cool, but eagles in general seem so overused as national symbols (Rome, HRE, Prussia, Napoleon, Russia, Austria, Nazis, etc.). Is there any way that the US could have chosen a different animal as its national emblem?
Turkeys need not apply.
A better bet would be a mountain lion.
I think a mountain lion would be an ideal symbol for the colonies if they stuck with Britain. The British lion, on American terms.
Maybe a moose...
Moose are cool.
Moose aren't endemic to America, though.
Again, Moose aren't common in the 13 colonies. They certainly existed, in places. But mostly in places where there weren't a lot of people.I am using the meaning of "endemic" as in "found exclusively in", not "native to". I know that moose are found in America(I've seen them here myself), but they're also found across Eurasia. There is therefore nothing uniquely American about them, making them a poor symbol for the United States.
American Alligator? Of which there are absolutely none in the 13 colonies, right?As far as I know no one has ever proposed changing the national animal to the Bison. However another suggestion could be the American Alligator.
For a creature of myth, the Thunderbird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbird_%28mythology%29 said:The thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. It is considered a supernatural bird of power and strength. It is especially important, and frequently depicted, in the art, songs and oral histories of many Pacific Northwest Coast cultures, and is found in various forms among the peoples of the American Southwest, Great Lakes, and Great Plains.
That's a good idea, actually. Very distinctive, very American.Raccoons for a real animal.![]()
I am using the meaning of "endemic" as in "found exclusively in", not "native to".
By that measure you're limited to a handful of small rodents, a couple of bats and a couple of rabbits. (In the 13 colonies. For mammals.) Oh, and maybe a shrew or two.oh, yeah, cuz lions and eagles and all those other heraldic animals are TOTALLY found ONLY in the country that uses them as a symbol
or even found there at all (how many Lions in England), or even at all (Unicorns, Welsh dragons, etc)oh, yeah, cuz lions and eagles and all those other heraldic animals are TOTALLY found ONLY in the country that uses them as a symbol
Entirely decent choice.personally, i feel the rattlesnake as a national symbol can also hearken back to this in particular:
![]()
Bison maybe?
Probably not, too obscure and unfamiliar an animal.
Also, in the 1780s and 90s, it's unlikely many Americans had seen a bison, which were found east of the Appalachians only sporadically by this time.
The bald eagle was attractive because it was both a distinctly American animal and eagles had been established in heraldry, unlike bison(Wisents had some heraldic history, but not much).
Also, the differences between an American bison and a European bison would be difficult to tell in heraldry, while the differences between a bald eagle and any heraldic eagle is stark and instantly recognizable- the white head.
The RCMP uses it.
Moreover, the RCMP and especially the (R)NWNP were set up to provide law/control of the Canadian West, where Bison were common.Key difference FS,
RCMP founded - 1920 (predecessors: NWMP founded 1873 & DP founded 1868)
USA founded- 1776
Ah, but which one? and can you make it obvious that it's an American one? Great Horned Owls look like Eagle Owls, Barn Owls are Barn Owls, etc.The wise choice - owl![]()
I .... ummm.... errr... ahhh...Not even a 2-headed heraldic turkey![]()
From my (admittedly limited) knowledge the blazon was intentionally misworded and, among other things, there are an improper number of stripes on the shield(proper European heraldry only allows even numbers of strips). I also recall that it was based on Roman civil government seals more than European coats of arms.
Alligator
American Alligator? Of which there are absolutely none in the 13 colonies, right?
part of the reason I'm planning to use the alligator as the iconic animal of a fictional party for one of my TL projectsI was just saying it would be a nice alternative if we to ever change the national animal, as alligators and crocodiles aren't used that often for national animals
I'd second the rattlesnake. As noted it featured in revolutionary flags and symbolizes both dangerous power but gives a warning - so it's not a sneak. In vexilogical iconography, it could even substitute for the stars in the US flag. Instead of stars, segments could be added to a coiled snake whenever a new state joined the union.
Even a moa would've been the coolest shit ever. You know your national symbol sucks when they get killed by stoats. Might as well have a freakin' dodo.