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Our Crest shows 5 peaks of mountains inflamed with
the motto:
"LUCEO NON URO"
(I Shine,
Not Burn)
![[MacKenzie Badge]](images/badge.gif)
The flaming mountains are perhaps connected with
the practice of setting fires on high hills as signals or beacons.
A second Crest usually associated with the Clan
is that of the Mackenzie of Seaforth.
It shows a Stag's Antlers with the motto:
"CUIDICH' N' RIGH"
(Save the
King)
The legendary origin of this crest goes back
to the 13th century. Kenneth of Kintail was in a royal hunting party. When a wounded stag charged the King, Kenneth
shouted "Cuiddiche an Righ" (Save the King) and shot the stag. As a result, the King awarded Kenneth the stag's head
as his crest.
A perhaps more historically accurate version
is that the stag's head represented the tribute that Kenneth paid to the King each year.
Whichever, the chief of the clan is known in
Gaelic as "Caberfeigh" or deer's antlers.
The stag's head or the flaming mountains, by themselves, is
the Chief's crest. The belt around it indicates loyalty to the chief and this form may be worn by clan members.
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