Mon

Mon was a term used for Rokugani family crests. They were somewhat like coats of arms in that they were either associated with a particular family, or an individual who had achieved some variety of public recognition. Crests added formality to a kimono. Also it displayed the person's affiliation to those around him/her.
== Creation ==
The Lion were the first to use Clan Mon in battle, followed by the Dragon, and the rest of the clans also used mon to herald their armies on the field, developing a symbol which they felt best defined their Kami. Way of the Lion, p. 14 The newest Shadowlands mon, a scowling oni, was devised by Yogo Junzo, who claimed it came to him in a dream. Way of the Shadowlands, p. 32
== Proper Use ==
The Mon was not just the symbol of the people currently in the clan. It also represented the souls of all the ancestors of the clan, and therefore the mon should never be treated with disrespect. To do so would insult all the ancestors of that house or family. When a samurai wore the mon of his clan he always wore it on his back as a gesture of respect. The family mon could be worn over the left shoulder so his ancestors were closer to his heart, or over the right shoulder so they could guide his sword arm. Way of the Crane, p. 22
== Details ==
=== Clothing ===
All samurai sworn to a clan wore the mon, the Clan symbol and colors. The clan mon could be worn on the back, and the family mon on one of his sleeves. A samurai usually incorporated his clan colors into his formal clothing. The mon was typically done in a combination of two colors: a dark, and a light. Winter Court: Kyuden Seppun, p. 57
=== Imperial Mon ===
The Imperial mon was the Chrysanthemum, and only members of the direct Hantei line might wear that particular crest. Other representatives of the Emperor wore the crest of his Emerald Champion, the laurel wreath. 
=== Clan Mon ===
The Clan had its own mon depicting their respective animals. For example the Crab Clan had a Crab on their mon. 
=== Family Mon ===
The Family Mon also usually had some connection to the Clan. For example the Matsu family Mon had a Lion's paw holding a katana and the Asako family Mon had a hand holding a flaming feather.
=== Personal Mon ===
A samurai who wished to have a personal mon should register it with the Miya to avoid confusion or duplication, and to have recognition. A mon without recognition was just a picture. Many samurai hired out the most skilled painters they could afford and the finest quality silks to create their mons. Winter Court: Kyuden Kakita, p. 104
=== Ronin Mon ===
The ronin used their mons as a show of their own reputation. They were forbidden to be recorded by the Miya, so many ronin stole one another's mons in order to to capitalize on a rival's reputation or to sully another's name. Way of the Wolf, p. 14 Sidebar
== See Also ==
=== Crab Clan mon ===
Image:Crab.png|Crab Clan mon
Image:Hida.png|Hida family mon
Image:Hiruma.png|Hiruma family mon
Image:Old Hiruma.png|Old Hiruma family mon 
Image:Kaiu.png|Kaiu family mon
Image:Kuni.png|Kuni family mon
Image:Falcon.png|Toritaka family mon
Image:Yasuki.png|Yasuki family mon
=== Crane Clan mon ===
Image:Crane.png|Crane Clan mon
Image:Asahina.png|Asahina family mon
Image:Daidoji.png|Daidoji family mon
Image:Doji.png|Doji family mon
Image:Kakita.png|Kakita family mon
Image:Old Yasuki.png|Old Yasuki family mon 
=== Dragon Clan mon ===
Image:Dragon.png|Dragon Clan mon
Image:Agasha.png|Agasha family mon
Image:Hitomi.png|Hitomi family mon
Image:Hoshi.png|Hoshi family mon 
Image:Kitsuki.png|Kitsuki family mon 
Image:Mirumoto.png|Mirumoto family mon
Image:Tamori.png|Tamori family mon 
Image:Togashi.png|Togashi family mon
=== Lion Clan mon ===
Image:Lion.png|Lion Clan mon
Image:Akodo.png|Akodo family mon
Image:Ikoma.png|Ikoma family mon
Image:Kitsu.png|Kitsu family mon
Image:Matsu.png|Matsu family mon
=== Mantis Clan mon ===
Image:Mantis.png|Mantis Clan and Yoritomo family mon
Image:Centipede.png|Moshi family mon
Image:Wasp.png|Tsuruchi family mon
Image:Fox.png|Kitsune family mon
=== Phoenix Clan mon ===
Image:Phoenix.png|Phoenix Clan mon
Image:Agasha.png|Agasha family mon
Image:Asako.png|Asako family mon
Image:Old Asako.png|Original Asako family mon
Image:Isawa.png|Isawa family mon
Image:Shiba.png|Shiba family mon
=== Scorpion Clan mon ===
Image:Scorpion.png|Scorpion Clan mon
Image:Bayushi.png|Bayushi family mon 
Image:Shosuro.png|Shosuro family mon
Image:Soshi.png|Soshi family mon
Image:Yogo.png|Yogo family mon
=== Spider Clan mon ===
Image:Spider.png|Spider Clan mon
=== Unicorn Clan mon ===
Image:Unicorn.png|Unicorn Clan mon
Image:Ide.png|Ide family mon 
Image:Iuchi.png|Iuchi family mon 
Image:Moto.png|Moto family mon
Image:Old Moto.png|Old Moto family mon
Image:Shinjo.png|Shinjo family mon
Image:Otaku.png|Utaku family mon
=== Imperial Families mon ===
Image:Imperial.png|The Emperor's mon
Image:Miya.png|Miya family mon 
Image:Otomo.png|Otomo family mon 
Image:Seppun.png|Seppun family mon
Image:Yotsu.png|Yotsu family mon
=== Minor clans mon ===
Image:Bat.png|Bat Clan mon 
Image:Badger.png|Badger Clan mon 
Image:Boar.png|Boar Clan mon 
Image:Dragonfly.png|Dragonfly Clan mon
Image:Hare.png|Hare Clan mon 
Image:Monkey.png|Monkey Clan mon
Image:Ox mon.png|Ox Clan mon
Image:Snake.png|Snake Clan mon 
Image:Sparrow.png|Sparrow Clan mon
Image:Tortoise.png|Tortoise Clan mon
=== Other mon ===
Image:Dark Moto.png|Dark Moto mon
Image:Shadowlands.png|Shadowlands mon
Image:Toturi's Army.gif|Toturi's Army mon
Image:Mon monk.jpg|Brotherhood of Shinsei mon
Category:Rokugani Language