I think for some time about an ubuntu mate mascot like other distros have as well. My suggestion is to use this funny, friendly and green frog. Unfortunately I don't have the skilfulness to design a drawn version of it. I guess, here are many inkscape artists. But it's just an idea. I invite to critique, other suggestions and ideas!
This was off a free royalty site. I just coloured it up. I don't think it's quite suitable. But, I do think a nice simple vector graphic would be the way to go as it would scale easily for different settings.
Cool, very quick work steve! Thanks! 
I don’t have an exactly vision of a frog for ubuntu mate. I think we know it at the moment when we see it. When I have more time and free resources, I go to learn working with Inkscape for create icons…
OK ,I like the frog . Look it here ,too ( with two other bugs ) : http://www.listofimages.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/graphics-green-girl-3d-desktop-hd-wallpaper.jpg But it doesn’t have anything in common with mate . Both are green , but I know so many other things are green too . And , gravy45 , it’s the plant .
I think that’s important the relation “mascot-mate”; I suggest three options : the first http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fabl1I5mW08/T2sg8NpSeYI/AAAAAAAAGaQ/lscSn0OOh-0/s400/マテ茶３.png the second http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5a/22/20/5a2220214b5df2cbc74b4a3ef6685e35.jpg and the third ( my prefered ) http://siterg.terra.com.br/wp-content/wp-resources/7685168-6866_652x408.jpg
Hi folks,
The argument of @gravy45 gravy45 make sense! The color green and the plant sheet as well are "occupied" by other distros (mint, bodhi).
About Mate I've been thinking before as well. The tricky thing I guess, its difficult to make an icon with the plant, so it is identifiable as mate plant for everyone. I like the Pin Ups with the mate calabash of @Rodrigo_Virmond (the wallpaper is great and now in my collection, thanks) as well. I suppose to make a graphic pin up with a calabash and the circle of Mate Logo (perhaps modified) around similar of the first picture...
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This calabash is a simple version for inspiration, but the girl is missing! 
I like the suggestion of the red-eyed tree frog as Ubuntu MATE mascot.
Regarding the MATE pin-ups: I find it out of place. Plus to me (and to most people that do not know the mate beverage), it looks more that these girl are smoking pot than drinking a coffee-like plan infusion…
I like it, great choice.
Dear friend Spleenico , please , make a research about mate . I suggest the term “chimarrão”, that’s the portuguese word that defines how to drink mate . And , two suggestions to start (drink mate is not sin ) : first : http://zerohora.clicrbs.com.br/rbs/image/14752046.jpg and more : http://www.listal.com/list/mate 
I think there are something weird in the air . Look the today 's Bing’s frontpage ( april 10 ) .
That's a Joke! Isn't it? Perhaps it's a sign?!
I'm glad about this lively discussion! Thank you for participate! First, I think, we don't need to make a choice in next time. To define a mascot should be thoughtful. Second, I think, both of suggestions are possible and could complement together: a animals as mascot, for example the red-eyed-frog, and the chimarrão as subject for wallpapers, merchandise, posters, tattoos, cups and so on...
Thanks Steve! As usual, excellent! 
@Rodrigo_Virmond
Hi Rodrigo, I did search what mate meant when the mate project was started (so a while ago), but my point is not about what I understand but what the community does.
I have nothing against the south american culture, my point is that a mascot should be a symbol that most people can relate with. If you use a pin-up drinking from a mate calabash, you will end up with many people not knowing what she is doing, what the relationship with the project project is (if they do not know the mate plant indeed), plus the fact that some people might find the pin-up (if indeed there is one and not only the calabash) to be either misogynistic or inappropriate.
I think it is not the right symbol to bring together people from different ages, genders, cultures, geographical locations.
On the contrary, most people know what a frog is, and usually see it as a funny-looking animal.
That may sound simplistic but “keep it simple” is precisely what it would work better, in my opinion.
Oh ! No , I agree with you about this completely . The link that I posted was to show other people drinking mate , not to use like mascot . Like you wrote " it looks more that these girl are smoking pot than drinking a coffee-like plan infusion " , I would like show that they are not ( or all are … ). And more ; just after my post I recognize an explosive coincidence : at the posts are references at religion , politics , “sex and drugs”(like Spleenico said ) and , the worse , American Football and REAL Football !!! - I really need more sense at the future . 
PS: yes , about the girls : the blonde is Gisele Bündchen , #1 best paid model of the world and Tom Brady’s wife ; the brunette is Fernanda Lima , actress and the last FIFA World Cup 's official presenter .
@Spleenico & @Rodrigo_Virmond
So, I'm following your discussion very interested. The objection about misogynistic is a valid point. I think, to use a calabash in combination with a girl can, but hasn't to be inappropriate per se. I would say, it's a question of how to create a logo in this direction. I always thought, if so it's an option to use a girl, not as a photography, but in black-white abstract form like a printing cliche, as in other brands. I give an example:
Furthermore, to have a woman in a logo doesn't be compelling sexist in my evaluation. In fact, as @wimpy said in an interview, we all owe Ubuntu Mate to a woman - wimpys wife! UM is a story of love!
@gravy45
I guess you mention really important points for our question generally. To know what goes in consensus with Mate Desktop license and what not is more important than the mascot itself. Perhaps we should make a research in this question a little bit.
your idea + my idea = http://www.reflexmagazin.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ClubMate04.jpg
Sorry ,I didn't resist .
I wonder if any of you very talented people would care to do something on the “It’s Not Easy Being Green” theme since MATE users are becoming very familiar with the color green?
Hey ! Look ! Someone have the same idea than me , but with talent and skills : http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Ubuntu+pin+up+Mate?content=169740 :
http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Ubuntu+pin+up+Mate?content=169740Thank you Rodrigo! Awesome! Your great! The wallpaper is like I’ve been looking for! Unfortunately the size is small…
