black arm band & the black diamond

[Ann E]

Can any one tell me the difference between the black arm band & the black diamond worn in when in mourning? .
Ann E

[meles]

I'd never heard of the black diamond, so Googled it with no success. Where have you seen or heard of it?

Intrigued

meles

[stanmapstone]

It may have something to do with the custom during the time of mourning for persons of rank, of setting up their Coats of Arms, in churches and over the principle entrances ot their houses, in a large black lozenge.
Stan

[Ann E]

I can remember my late mother wearing a black cloth diamond on her coat when her father died , I also  remember seeing other people wearing black arm bands!,( I have a photo of an uncle wearing black arm band)   I wanted to find  if there was any difference between the two , ie if one was for close family & the other was for distance relations,
I have spent half the morning looking ,  couldn't’t find any thing on google.
 thanks Stan & Miles
 Ann E

[meles]

Thanks for  that, Ann. Still not heard of it, but at least I know what to look for!

meles

[Little Nell]

A lozenge, when used for coats of arms, denotes the arms of a widow, of a spinster, or a deceased person.

I can't say that I have seen anyone wear a black diamond on their clothes.

Nowadays of course, we see people wearing the black lapel ribbon.  I suppose one might call it the evolution of mourning.

Nell

[Christchurch Lil]

Interestingly enough, although black arm bands are not widely seen these days, a number of sports teams (rugby, netball, hockey) turn out for internationals wearing black arm bands-usually to signify that one of their number (players or staff) have recently had a death in the family

[Pat Reid]

Ann:
I also recall the black diamond sewn onto the upper sleeve of mourners. These were in the immediate family, as far as I can recall. This was in County Down, Ireland. Was your mother Irish?

Pat

[Frances]

I can remember having a black diamond sewn on my sleeve like my mother and sister when my grandparents died.  I cannot remember how long for.

Frances