SENA, Armory Part 7, Offense
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A.7. Armory Offense http:heraldry.sca.org/sena.html#A7 #A7AA. Definitions: No armorial design that is offensive to a large segment of members of the SCA or the general public will be registered. Offense is a modern concept; just because an armorial design was used in period does not mean that it is not offensive to the modern observer. Offense returns are rare because the bar for determining offensiveness is quite high; it has not been unusual for years to pass between returns for offense. Offense is not dependent on intent. The fact that a submitter did not intend to be offensive is not relevant. The standard is whether a large segment of the SCA or the general public would be offended. Similarly, offense is not dependent on clarity. An element commonly used by modern neo-Nazis, for example, may be ruled offensive even if many people have to look it up. However, an element used broadly in both potentially offensive and inoffensive contexts may not be considered offensive. #A7BB. Types of Potentially Offensive Armory: Several types of armory are potentially offensive: > #A7B11. Vulgar Amory: Armory which includes pornographic or scatological references will not be registered. Depictions of monsters and human beings who are partially nude or the depiction of the genitals on beasts will not generally be considered vulgar. Some period elements such as those depicting human genitals may be considered vulgar on a case by case basis. Certain depictions may be considered pornographic or scatological even if a standard depiction would not be. This is true even if the design or element can be attested in period armory. > #A7B22. Offensive Religious Armory: Armory which uses magical or religious symbolism in ways that mocks the beliefs of others or is likely to be offensive to someone who respects the tradition in question will be returned. Magical or religious symbolism is not inherently offensive, but can offend by context. Normal armorial designs including single or multiple elements that identify the person with one religious tradition or another are not offensive. Offense requires a level of religious iconography that would raise eyebrows even for believers. This level of offense will be determined on a case by case basis. Whether or not the submitter is a follower of the tradition whose symbols are being used is not relevant for the purposes of this rule. > For example, while both a Paschal Lamb// and //a mullet of five points voided and interlaced within and conjoined to an annulet// (modernly called a pentacle) are registerable charges, //a Paschal Lamb dismembered surmounted by a mullet of five points voided and interlaced inverted within and conjoined to an annulet is a design that would be found offensive by many individuals. > #A7B33. Derogatory Stereotypes: Armorial designs that refer to derogatory stereotypes or slurs will not be registered. This is true whether the stereotype is inherent in the usage or created by context. General references to ethnic, racial, or sexual identities are not offensive and may be registered. > For example, while a Moor's head// is a registerable charge, //a Moor's head within an orle of watermelons is a design that would be found offensive by many individuals. > #A7B44. Offensive Political Terminology: Armorial designs associated with political movements or events that may be offensive to a particular race, religion, or ethnic group will not be registered. > Designs identical to those used by or suggestive of groups like the Nazis, the SS, the Ku-Klux Klan, or similar organizations may not be used. Some elements that were inoffensive in period may be offensive because of modern associations. Some designs are offensive because of individual charges: a swastika is inherently offensive because of its association with the Nazis. Others are offensive only in the overall design. The s-rune is not offensive as a charge, but is offensive in a design which closely resembles that used by the SS. > #A7B55. Other Offensive Armory: Other sorts of armorial designs may be ruled offensive on a case by case basis, such as one that mocks armory registered to another group.