Official State Tartan of Texas
The Texas Bluebonnet tartan was recognized as the official state tartan in 1989 (House Concurrent Resolution No. 242, 71st Legislature, Regular Session). All State Tartans
Designed by June MacRoberts, under guidance from the Scottish Tartan Society Museum (the official registrar for tartans), the Texas Bluebonnet Tartan was inspired by one of the most prominent symbols of Texas - bluebonnets, the official state flower (Texas also adopted a bluebonnet song).
The Scottish Society of Texas, organized in 1963, represented fifty Scottish Highland clans in Texas. It was a statewide association that sponsored annual Texas Highland Games each May including competition in dancing, piping, and athletic events. The society perpetuated Scottish traditions and provided fel (lowship for Scottish Americans to promote awareness of their heritage.
What is a Tartan?
Tartan is defined as a cloth with a twill weave, usually made of wool, using a unique pattern of multicolored stripes in both directions, and accepted by some group as "theirs." Tartans represent clans (families) or regions in Scotland. In old Scotland, the tartan was used for clothing. Because a family or community worked the cloth together, their clothing was made of the same patterns. In the eighteenth century Clan Tartans were adopted and a person could be recognized by the tartan they wore. Tartans can also be designed as a symbol to commemorate a special event or person.
A tartan pattern is traditionally called a "sett." When woven, the sett is mirrored in all directions and defined by a particular thread count.