Bay State Tartan

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Official State District Tartan of Massachusetts

"The Bay State Tartan" was designated the official state district tartan of Massachusetts in 2002. All State Tartans

According to the the Scottish Tartans Authority, the colors of the Bay State Tartan represent:

Blue for the Atlantic Ocean, reservoirs, rivers and ponds of Massachusetts (confusingly, the Massachusetts St. Andrew's Society erroneously shows this tartan with white in place of blue).

Green for the Boston Hills, Worcester Hills and the Berkshire Mountains;

Tan for the beach line from the North to South Shore, Cape and Island and Buzzards Bay,

Red for the apple and cranberry harvests.

What is a Tartan?

Tartan is defined as a cloth with a twill weave (usually wool) having a unique pattern of multicolored stripes mirrored in both directions that represents a clan (family) or region. Tartans can also be designed as a symbol to commemorate a special event or person.

In old Scotland the tartan was used for clothing and as a banner or flag. Because a family or community worked the cloth together, their clothing was made of the same pattern, and so a person could be recognized by the tartan that he wore.

References

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