3 Symbols of Ireland
When people think of Ireland what they think of probably includes leprechauns, shamrocks, and St. Patrick's Day. As someone who has traveled there and visited often, there are things that remind me of the Irish countryside. These things remind me of Ireland and represent it's culture. These symbols are the Irish flag, the Claddagh Ring, and the Celtic Cross.
The Ireland National Flag
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| Source: www.flags.net |
The Irish National Flag is patterned in 3 equal colors of green, white, and orange. and modeled after the French tricolor, the flag itself is also known as the tricolor representing the Irish Nation. The green stripe symbolizes the Gaelic traditions of Ireland; standing for the Roman Catholics. The orange color represents the followers of KingWilliam III or King of the Orange and his Protestant followers. The white stripe in the middle, represents the goal for peace between both the Catholic majority and the Protestant Minority. During the Irish War of Independence, the flag was flown and today is recognized as the country's national flag. The green stripe is always places closest to the flag pole and flows freely among many Irish homes.
The Claddagh Ring
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| Source: www.claddaghstore.com |
The Claddagh Ring is worn by many Irish natives and those of Irish decent. It is composed of two hands clutching a heart, and a crown resting on top. The hands represent friendship; the crown, loyalty; and the heart, love. It also has a different meaning depending on the wearer's placement of the ring. The ring facing outwards means that the heart is open and that the wearer is single. The ring facing your own body indicates that the wearer is in a relationship, or taken. There are many legends as to how the ring originated. The one I am most familiar, depicts the tale of a man named Richard Joyce. He was born in Galway and went to work in the West Indies. He was in love with a woman and planned to marry her when he returned. However, shortly after leaving the ship he was traveling on was captured. Joyce was then sold as a slave to a goldsmith in Algiers. When William III became King, he ordered that British prisoners be released and Joyce was let go. While Joyce was away, he made a ring that represented his feelings for the woman he loved. When he returned home, he presented the ring to her and they married.
The Celtic Cross
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| Source: www.megalithicireland.com |
The Celtic Cross is a cross with a ring around the intersection and originates in Gaelic Ireland. There are many myths surrounding the origin of the Celtic Cross. It is believed by many that St. Patrick introduced the cross to convert pagan followers to Christianity. The ring around the middle representing life-giving properties of the sun; and therefore God, convinced many that they would be closer to God by being Christian. Irish monks resurrected the crosses during the 7th Century. The most famous Celtic Crosses include the Cross the of the Kells, and the Cross of the Scriptures. There are many different patterns and ornate designs engraved on the crosses as well. The Celtic Cross stands at religious places and typically associated with Christian Ireland. Earlier crosses were made of wood or metal. Today, made of stone, many mark the graves of Irish men and women and many free standing crosses can be seen across the country of Ireland today.
Pictured: The Cross of the Kells, County Meath
