Typically the class you are sailing in is identified by the insignia on your sail. You may have sailed under many different class insignia in your lifetime. We sail under this one now, our Cruising Class insignia. There are many classes and they all have there own insignia/sail emblems.
insignia (n.)
1640s, from Latin insignia, neuter plural of insigne "badge of honor or office, mark, proof, sign, token (teikn)
token (teikn) (n.)
Old Norse teikn, Proto-Germanic *taikna, Old Saxon tekan, "zodiac sign, omen, token," Old Frisian tekan. Old English tacen "sign, symbol, evidence" (related to verb tæcan "show, explain, teach" it what we do in the SCLG.)
The insignia above is our teikn…
Really it is my teikn, the evidence of me. The M and N represent me and the trident means all those who carry my teikn, my sign, are under my protection. Protection from man, the olds gods and the new, unique protection unto its own. To learn about the “M” and “N” you could sail with me to learn the meaning. It’s a story 61+ years old. A unique term to SW Louisiana of Normandy, France (Norse) decent. Special meaning of a personal nature amongst friends. A term of endearment. If you are astute this is all you need to figure it out. If you aren’t you can learn from me later what my mother called me from the moment of my birth to the time of her death. It’s how I honor her and remember her and it’s who I am.
If you figure it out the “M” and “N” then email me and I’ll gift you some paid subscription time to the (SCLG) SmallCraftLife Group DIY project section.
So what’s the story…
A while back I order some new sails from Mad Sails. Roller furling jib and a new mainsail. Since we sail under our own Cruising Class the sails are not Class specific to our sailboat. They have a few modifications.
As you can see from the photos shown below.