IRISH SYMBOLS:
The Irish Flag: the Tricolour
The Irish Flag has three vertical strips of green, white and orange and was first used in 1848. It's colours held important significance for the political situation in Ireland at the time. The green represented the Catholic majority while the orange was the colour of the Protestant population. The middle stripe of white symbolised a hope of peace or unity between the two.
The Shamrock
Simply put, a shamrock is a single-stemmed plant with three leaves growing from that single stem. It grows in quantity on the hills of Ireland. More importantly, it has become a kind of unofficial symbol of Ireland, featured on postcards and souvenirs.
It was probably made most famous by St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. He used the shamrock to help explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity to the pagans, in his quest to bring Christianity to the country. Today, it remains a strong symbol of his life in our yearly St. Patrick's Day celebrations, on the 17th of March. Most Irish people will wear a small quantity of shamrock on that day and many will engage in the time-honored tradition of "drowning the shamrock" - taking a few drinks (preferably Guinness) in the local pub.
The Celtic Cross
This large cross is a mixture of the traditional Christian cross and the pagan worship of the sun. Each cross is intricately carved with images from the Bible and Celtic symbols like knots and spirals.
The Leprechaun
Th legend of the leprechaun has never quite left Ireland. Traditionally dressed in green with a cocked hat and leather apron, he is about 2 feet tall and possesses a pot of gold. If you can find a leprechaun and keep him in your sight he must tell you where the gold is. While many have claimed to see a leprechaun (usually after a long day in the pub!) his existence has yet to be proven.
The Harp
The harp has long been the traditional symbol of Ireland. The musicians of ancient chieftains played the harp and today we'll see it on coins, the presidential flag, uniforms, state seals and so on. The Celtic harp is said to stand for immortality of the soul.
The Claddagh Ring
Probably the most famous of Irish jewellery, the Claddagh ring has a long and rich history. Earliest examples of the ring date back to the 1700s and link the ring to the ancient fishing village of Claddagh just outside the walls of the City of Galway.
