SYMBOLS OF IRELAND A look at some Irish symbols and their meanings THE IRISH FLAG Every colour in the Irish flag has a meaning: - Green represents the Irish people. - Orange stands for the English supporters of William of Orange. - The white strip means «peace». THE IRISH HARP The harp has been a symbol of Ireland for a long time. The legend says that it has magical powers. Today you can find the harp on coins, official documents (it is the state seal) and uniforms. THE IRISH HARP THE SHAMROCK In ancient Ireland the shamrock was believed to have magical powers and the number 3 (the shamrock has three leaves) was considered a powerful number. Later, when Saint Patrick came to Ireland, he used the shamrock to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost). THE SHAMROCK The legend says that the leaves of shamrock will stand upright when a storm approaches, and that no snake will be found amongst its leaves. The word «shamrock» comes from the old Irish word «seamrog», that means «summer plant». THE CLADDAGH RING It comes from a village called Claddagh. It represents the fishing kings of that village, whose motto was «in friendship and love let us reign.» Tradition says that the heart is worn outwards to show that you are «heart whole and fancy free.» THE CLADDAGH RING Many claddagh rings are passed from mother to daughter to be worn on her wedding day. «The hands are there for friendship, The heart is there for love, For loyalthy throughout the year, The crown is raised above.» THE CELTIC CROSS The legend says that when St. Patrick went to Ireland, they showed him a sacred stone marked with a circle. St. Patrick marked a cross through the circle and blessed the stone. This way, he showed the union between the old and new ways.
