Symbols and traditions of northern ireland

The symbols of Ireland include SHAMROCK, the RED HAND, the HARP, the WHITE RIBBON. Their traditions go back to ancient Celts as in Wales and Scotland.

The Red Hand of Ulster

The Red Hand of Ulster is the official seal of the O'Neill family. It is believed to originate from a mythical tale wherein two chieftains were racing across a stretch of water in an attempt to be the first to reach the land and claim it as his own. Realising his foe would touch the land first, one chieftain cut off his hand and threw it onto the shore, thereby claiming the land before his adversary reached it. The Red Hand is one of the only emblems in Northern Ireland used by both communities in Northern Ireland although it is more associated with the Protestant community. Catholics see it as representing the nine counties of Ulster while Protestants see it as representing the six counties of Northern Ireland. The Red Hand of Ulster appears on many murals and flags.

Harp

This ancient instrument has long symbolised the island of Ireland. Its origins come from when Owen Roe O'Neill, a Gaelic Chieftain, adopted a green flag incorporating the harp. Being seen as a threat to the English invaders, playing the harp was banned, despite remaining on the royal insignia as representing Ireland in the growing British Empire. It was revived in Belfast in 1792, and was the prime symbol of the United Irishmen. The symbol of the harp also represents Loyalist Irishmen when it is surmounted by a crown and it is used in this form on, for example, the cap badges of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Shamrock

Legend has it that the shamrock was used by St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, to illustrate the Holy Trinity, hence its widespread use on St. Patrick's day on 17 March. It is one of Ireland's national emblems, and is used by mainly by the Nationalist tradition, but is also evident within the Unionist tradition, with bodies such as the Royal Irish Rangers wearing the Shamrock every St. Patrick's day.

White Ribbon

A number of symbols of peace have been used over the past thirty years by various organisations. Most recently those campaigning for peace have worn a white ribbon in their lapels. In the past white paper doves have been held aloft at peace demonstrations.

St Patrick’s Day

Saint Patrick's day is on March 17th, a lot of people celebrate this holiday all around the world. Some of the thousands that celebrate the holiday go to church, having parties, or just wearing GREEN. Some places in the United States of America have parades to celebrate the holiday. People have been celebrating St. Patrick's Day for almost 1600 years now. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is both a national and religious holiday. Many people attend church and offer special prayers. The holiday falls during Lent, a period when eating meat is forbidden, but the ban is lifted on St. Patrick's Day and families enjoy special meals with traditional Irish food. St. Patrick was born in England not Ireland between the years 372 and 390 AD. His real name was Maewyn. His parents were Romans. They were rich and healthy and lived a good life. When he was a boy a very powerful king in Ireland attacked England and took thousands of people as captives and made them slaves. Patrick was one of them. After he was captured he was taken to Northern Ireland and was sold to another King. It is believed that in 441 A.D., St. Patrick fasted and prayed for 40 days at the summit of Croagh Patrick ("the Reek") in County Mayo. During this time, as blackbirds assaulted him, St. Patrick continued to pray and ring a bell as a proclamation of his faith. In answer to his prayers, an angel appeared to tell him that the Irish people would retain their Christian faith for all time. It was while atop the mountain that St. Patrick drove all the snakes in Ireland to the sea. Historians generally agree that since snakes are a common pagan symbol — and are not found in Ireland — this tale symbolizes St. Patrick's driving paganism out of Ireland. Some believed that St. Patrick explained the concept of the Trinity in Christianity using a shamrock he found growing at his feet. More likely, the three-part leaf was worn by the people of Ireland as a symbol of the cross. A traditional Irish blessing using shamrock is:

For each petal on the shamrock This brings a wish your way Good health, good luck, and happiness For today and every day.