Announcing the Coat of Arms Contest! [Archive]

Elennainie

11-12-2002, 09:25 PM

(Trumpet fanfare...) Announcing the Guild of Tolkienology Coat of Arms Contest! The contest is open to any member of the Guild of Tolkienology and the winner will be decided by a guild-wide vote.

We have a beautiful new home, made for us by Lhunithiel, but alas, we have no coat of arms to hang above the fireplace! :( The only rule is that the entry must be made by you - drawing, computer graphic composite, whatever. If you want, say what the chargers, colors, beasts, etc. represent. Please post your entries on this thread by midnight on Friday, Nov. 22. Please note, per Lhunithiel's request, the deadline has been extended!

Let's make our guild proud!! All who look upon our coat of arms shall quake before the might of the Guild of TOlkienology!!! :D :D

Lhunithiliel

11-13-2002, 12:50 PM

I truly hope we soon have a beautiful coat of arms!
But somehow I figured it placed just above the front gate. :)

Elennainie

11-13-2002, 02:32 PM

Do you mean something like this, Lhun.?

Lhunithiliel

11-13-2002, 03:54 PM

It's awesome! :)

Mrs. Maggott

11-13-2002, 11:32 PM

I would love to participate, but, alas, I have no knowledge of how to send or otherwise deal with visuals (or whatever they call them).

I do know I made a coat of arms for our family once. Bent forks on a field of kitty litter (I had 10 cats at the time!). Of course, the kitty litter was CLEAN! Our family motto? In hoc tu offen - which means, well you know what it means! :D

Just an aside: two things NOT to have on the coat of arms - dragons and spiders! Mushrooms, are a "must", of course, as is a pipe (preferably long stemmed and smoking), a glass of beer and/or wine, a Wizard's hat (preferably with a black arrow sticking out of it) and a walking staff. If you have any weapons, then I would suggest short bladed "swords" such as Sting or those from the Barrow Downs. As for beasts (which have to be SOMEWHERE), a good sturdy hobbit pony or two is fine! A round door (green, of course) with the "G" rune scratched in the middle might also be good. There are lots of things and these are just really from the "hobbits'" point of view, naturally! ;)

Elennainie

11-14-2002, 08:08 PM

Mrs. M, I PM'ed you about this, but thought I'd post it in case anyone has a similar problem. I'd be glad to scan in and post anyone's drawings if they don't have access to a scanner. You can send it to me by good old fashioned mail, if you think it would get to me by next week. We can just extend the deadline. Maybe this isn't practical...I don't know...I just wanted to help!! In case you already do have a picture on your computer, MM, and you just don't know how to attach it, just click on the "browse button" next to the words "attach file" after you go to "post reply". Then find where the file is on your computer and that's that! (Btw, can anyone recommend a good way to shrink image file sizes so they can be under the 102400 bytes maximum size?)

Mrs. Maggott

11-14-2002, 08:18 PM

Thank you for your most gracious offer. But perhaps, as I have just joined the Guild and am rather new to the entire forum, I should gracefully step aside and let my betters compete (especially as there is such a short time left!). As my mother was wont to say, it is better to keep one's mouth closed and let others THINK one is stupid - than to open it and confirm same!

Also, my husband is the chief engineer computer person/wonk in the world. I don't doubt that he could help me send something - especially through his machine which is "state of the art", but he has very little patience explaining such procedures to me. Once he starts "explaining", my eyes glaze over and I foam at the mouth! Alas, there is just TOO GREAT a gap between our knowledge - or rather between HIS knowledge and MY ingnorace!

Again, thank you for your most kind offer. If such a thing happens again (requiring "graphics") and I have enough time to respond, I shall certainly take you up on your offer!

Now all I have to do is figure out how to put one of those cute "graphics" under my name on the left hand side of my posts and add my Guild membership to my signature. When I looked at my "profile" (do pumpkins HAVE "profiles"?) I didn't see anything that said "signature". It must be there somewhere, but, alas, my lack of technological expertise makes it feel as if I am perpetually walking around with a paper bag over my head! :(

Elennainie

11-14-2002, 08:29 PM

Go to "user cp" and then "edit profile" (button at the top) . The signature option is in there. PM a mod for an avatar, I think...I wouldn't know.... :(

Mithlond

11-15-2002, 05:18 PM

You can speak to Grond about the avatar's, he'll help you out in that department.

Elenaelin

11-15-2002, 05:32 PM

Yay! A jolly contest whose due date I haven't missed! As for the contest, perhaps we might have some sort of guildlines to follow. In my opinion it ought to have a representation of all the "good" races, as im sure many of the members claim a certain affiliation. Avatars are "earned" once you reach 100 posts. Where exactly do we "post" our entries? I'm very confused, as usual:p

Elennainie

11-15-2002, 07:35 PM

Elenaelin, you can just post your entry here on this thread by Mon. Nov. 18. I'm so glad you want to enter!!! :D :D I like your idea about the races. I didn't want to set any guidelines, so that people can be as creative as they want, but you could make your design have all the good races in it. Just tell us what things represent when you post your entry, so everyone will understand! :)

gandalfthegrey

11-16-2002, 06:19 AM

i am going to start working on a drawing on the coat of arms but i cant figure out how to send it too you i dont have a scanner and i dont have a digital camera what should i do to send it to you when i am done?

Lhunithiliel

11-16-2002, 07:38 AM

Elennainie, let's give the contest MORE TIME ! OK? :)

Mrs. Maggott

11-16-2002, 02:18 PM

And speaking of more time, as I look through the forum, I notice debates and other things that have been ongoing for some time. It appears that some (like the debates) are open only to the chosen participants, but others seem open to all Guild members. Yet it is difficult for a person such as myself who is not familiar with this type of activity at all (participating in forums on the internet) to decide whether one should just "chime in" or if these things have a "shelf life" after which comments are not solicited.

If there is a "time limit" on something - such as the "coat of arms" contest - the "expiration date" should be clearly posted so that browsers know that it's "over", so to speak or that there are only "x" number of days, weeks left. This is especially important if people are going to be removed from the Guild for a failure to participate. I have hesitated to do much more than offer my opinions on fairly non-problematic threads because I don't want to "intrude" where a structed debate or other such matter is being considered by the membership.

Of course, when one is familiar with internet communications, one KNOWS what to do, but if one isn't..... well, one CAN make a fool of oneself or appear rude or intrusive which is not what was intended. :confused:

Elennainie

11-18-2002, 01:13 AM

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
Elennainie, let's give the contest MORE TIME ! OK? :)

Sure, Lhun., sounds fine. The new deadline for submissions will be midnight on Fri. Nov. 22. That's four extra days. :)

If there is a "time limit" on something - such as the "coat of arms" contest - the "expiration date" should be clearly posted so that browsers know that it's "over", so to speak or that there are only "x" number of days, weeks left.

Mrs. M., this type of info. can usually be found on the first post in the thread, i.e. whether it is an open or closed debate, who is involved, etc.

gandalfthegrey, I'll PM you about sending the picture.

Elennainie

11-22-2002, 03:35 PM

The Cote d'Ivoire has the earliest time zone, I believe, so let's begin voting at midnight their time. (timeanddate.com) This'll give everyone a chance to post their beautiful designs first!!! :D :D You can cast your vote for your favorite coat of arms right here on this thread, after the entries are posted. There's probably some better way to do this, but I don't know how! :(

I offer the following design to be considered by the Guild of Tolkienology as their official Coat of Arms:

The Torch
In medieval heraldry, the torch was the symbol of learning and achievement, so this represents our guild's scholarly pursuit of knowledge of Tolkien and his works. The flaming torch also represents the Flame Imperishable which Iluvatar set at the heart of the world.

The Book
The book signifies that our foremost love is for Tolkien's writings themselves (as opposed to a movie adaptation alone, etc.) The writings are the foundation of our Guild and the measure of what is truth in our debates.

The Chained Dragon
The chained dragon represents ignorance, our defeated enemy. And if one should recognize the lidless eyes and lying tongue of Glaurung the dragon, slain by Turin, one would not be mistaken.

The Scroll
The scroll at the base of the shield proclaims "Guild of Tolkienology" in tengwar letters. The choice of Feanor's letters over Roman letters is a tribute to Tolkien's linguistic prowess in creating languages and words most fair to utter.

Other
The color blue represents the sea, where we may still hearken to the echoes of the Great Music.

The gold represents all things good and fair - from Laurelin to Lothlorien, to young Goldilock's pretty head.

The stars represent our Guild's 50 members - 10 for each of the 5 stars.

Thus stands our Coat of Arms. Let all look upon it and be moved to admiration for the GUILD OF TOLKIENOLOGY!!!!

Lhunithiliel

11-23-2002, 07:06 AM

Elennainie, what I'm seeing is just wonderful!

But I need some help here!
As far as I can understand we shall have to chose between the torch, orthe book or the dragon ???? :confused:

Or do these three ALL come into the design?
So, please, will you give me hint here?
Besides, when I get an answer on my above question, will you permit me work a little on the overall view of your proposed coat of arms? Nothing will be changed because I like it a lot! I shall just "refine" some bits...
But of course, this is ONLY when I understand about the final design and OF COURSE with your gracious permission! :) :D

I wonder what has gandalfthegrey done. He has promissed to draw too.
Unfortunately, I am not able to draw such things myself! :( Shame on me! :o

Anyway, I am looking forward with such impatience to look at all the designes.... I wonder how many?

Elennainie

11-23-2002, 03:53 PM

All of the symbols - torch, chained dragon, book, etc. are on the coat of arms. You don't have to choose between them. Could you open the image I posted? They are all on there.

Thank you very much, Lhun., for saying something nice about the design. I am quite bummed out that I was the only one to submit a design. :( :( :( I made this contest so that it would be a FUN thing for people in the guild to do, but apparently nobody really cared about it. :( I spent a lot of time looking in different heraldry books and researching the symbols and put a lot of thought into the different elements and what would be good to represent our guild. But, again, apparently it doesn't matter. If you want to tweak the image, that's fine. I'd like to keep all the elements and their meanings intact though. I've seen your work with the study and castle, and it is quite nice.

Sadly,
Elennainie

Lhunithiliel

11-23-2002, 04:43 PM

Oh! Don't be sad, Elennainie!
I love what you have done and in fact I was hoping all of the three item will be included.

Now, as for my "touch" - it is only because the separate items seem a little bit not in line.... What I'm going to do is just "refine" this.

And what if noone submits other design!!!!
Yours is just beautiful!

Cheer up! You are going to be the WINNER! ;) :) :D

And the most important is that the Guild will have a beautiful oat of arms!

Elennainie

11-23-2002, 08:07 PM

Thanks, Lhun., you did make me feel better. :)
Now, as for my "touch" - it is only because the separate items seem a little bit not in line.... What I'm going to do is just "refine" this.
This sounds good. They could use some "lining up", and some lines removed from where I scanned it in. Also, if you could figure out how to make it smaller, so it fits on one screen without having to scroll up and down, that would be sooo excellent! (I'm just a beginner on Photoshop.) As soon as you're done, we can post our new coat of arms for everyone to see.

Mrs. Maggott

11-23-2002, 10:34 PM

hank you very much, Lhun., for saying something nice about the design. I am quite bummed out that I was the only one to submit a design. I made this contest so that it would be a FUN thing for people in the guild to do, but apparently nobody really cared about it. <quote Elennainie>

Not so, my dear! I was fascinated and if I had ANY IDEA AT ALL of how to make pictures appear in a post - and if I had tumbled into the Guild earlier - I would have tried my hand however poorly it would have turned out!

I am sure that many wished to participate but lacked the technological skills (like myself) or felt themselves insufficiently knowledgeable about the subject (also like myself) to do so. Fortunately, your wonderful design has rendered any such awkward efforts as I might eventually have rendered (and then tried to figure out how to send to the appropriate place) needless!

Again, it was a GRAND idea! I'm just sorry that my ignorance forbade my participation! :(

Lhunithiliel

11-24-2002, 02:05 PM

Here is my "refined" variant.
I like this coat of arms and I vote for it with both my hands (and all fingers! :))

Elennainie

11-25-2002, 01:49 AM

Thanks for lining up the pictures better and making it fit on one screen, Lhun. I like the changes! :)

Again, it was a GRAND idea!
Thanks for the kind words, Mrs. M.! :)

Mrs. Maggott

11-25-2002, 02:44 AM

Not "kind", my Dear, just credit given where credit is due.

Once our coat of arms is finalized (and of course, you MUST provide the "legend" - the meaning of each of the figures therein - together with the coa) then perhaps we can make it available to the Guild members. Perhaps it can be translated (at least the visual) into a what do you call them, "atavars"? So that each member of the Guild may incorporate it into that "name" that shows up on the left when we post (I don't know what they call THAT either. I know it isn't one's "signature" which appears at the bottom of each post!). It would really make our Guild members quite unique on the forum - which, of course, is only proper and just! ;)

Lhunithiliel

11-25-2002, 06:12 AM

This is a very good idea, Mrs.Magott!
Really! I wonder if Master Grond could and would like to change that part of our avatars, where it says "Journeyman/Expert/Master Tolkienologist", in such a way that the words would appear on the background of the coat of arms.

And Mrs.Maggot, with your number of posts high above 100 why don't you ask Grond to make an avatar for you? :)

Mrs. Maggott

11-25-2002, 11:26 AM

I did not know that the service was available and, also, I know that our good Grond has been much pre-occupied with his family lately (I do hope that his father has recovered and is now on the mend).

However, when time allows, perhaps he will consider doing so. I don't know if there are choices (hopefully, there's mushroom somewhere), but I am sure that someone will enlighten me as to procedure etc. ;)

Elennainie

11-25-2002, 03:50 PM

Perhaps it can be translated (at least the visual) into a what do you call them, "atavars"? So that each member of the Guild may incorporate it into that "name" that shows up on the left when we post (I don't know what they call THAT either. I know it isn't one's "signature" which appears at the bottom of each post!). It would really make our Guild members quite unique on the forum - which, of course, is only proper and just!
Really! I wonder if Master Grond could and would like to change that part of our avatars, where it says "Journeyman/Expert/Master Tolkienologist", in such a way that the words would appear on the background of the coat of arms.
These sound like great ideas to me, if the others want to have that as one part of their avatar!! :D I especially like Lhun's suggestion to put the "Journeyman Tolkienologist" part on a background of the coat of arms. :) It would, as Mrs. M. pointed out, really make our Guild look unique on the Forum. Perhaps Mrs. M., since it was your original idea, you could PM Grond and ask him. I asked on the Happenings in the Guild thread, where I posted our new coat of arms for everyone to see, if Grond would post the coat of arms on the Application Instructions or Members' List threads, but haven't heard back yet. I know he is busy with his family. We could do the avatars instead of posting the coat of arms on the members' list or Applic. Instr. threads.

Mrs. Maggott

11-25-2002, 03:55 PM

Sigh...they say that revealing one's ignorance to others is a good way of cultivating humility! If that is indeed so, I'm going to be too humble for words!

I had hoped not to have to ask this question. I have seen this unfamiliar "thing" used countless times and always hoped I would surreptitiously learn the answer, but now that I have been asked to do it, I can no longer delay asking without appearing rude!

What's "pm" - other than "afternoon", that is!

Sigh.....:confused: :rolleyes: :confused:

Elennainie

11-25-2002, 07:56 PM

Don't feel ignorant. Everybody has to learn the first time!! ;) PM means private message. It is like an email, only limited to on the Forum. Just find a post by the person you want to PM. At the very bottom of his post will be a button that says "PM". Click it to send him a private message. It will be for the recipient's eyes only and will not show up on the forum for all to see. You can go under "user CP" and then under "Private Messages" to see the PM's others send you. You can also see if the person has read the PM you sent. Once you are in "Private Messages" under "User CP", click the drop-down menu and find "message tracking". Hope that helps!!!:)