IRELAND The Emerald Island SYMBOLS

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IRELANDThe Emerald IslandSYMBOLS
http//www.ancient-symbols.com/irish-symbols
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THE SHAMROCK

• The shamrock is a three-leafed clover that grows
  abundantly in Ireland.
• Some people say that St. Patrick, the patron
  saint of Ireland, used the shamrock to represent
  the Cristian Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy
  Spirit).
• Other people say that the shamrock and the number
  three were considered magical in Celtic
  tradition.
• In the 19th century, the shamrock was the symbol
  of Irish nationalism, pride and rebellion against
  the British.
• Nowadays the shamrock is one of the most famous
  symbols of Ireland.

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THE CLADDAGH

• The Claddagh symbol includes a heart, two hands
  and a crown, which stand for love, friendship and
  loyalty.
• The Claddagh symbol was first used in Claddagh (a
  fishing village near Galway) in the 17th century.
• It is still used as the typical Irish wedding
  ring.

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THE CELTIC CROSS

• It is believed that this symbol represent a
  fusion of ancient Celtic traditions (the circle
  was a symbol of the Sun) and the Christian cross.
  
• There are stone Celtic crosses monuments in
  Ireland since the 7th century.
• Celtic crosses are used as Irish grave markers
  since the 19th century.
• Nowadays, Celtic crosses are a symbol of the
  Irish Celtic heritage.

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THE LEPRECHAUN

• All the people in Ireland know the legend that
  Leprechauns keep their golden coins in a pot
  buried at the end of a rainbow.
• A leprechaun usually wears a green suit and hat,
  and is often imagined as an old man with a beard
  and pointy elf ears. He is as small as a child.
• Leprechauns usually live alone in the forests,
  and they make shoes. People cant see them, but
  are the victims of their jokes.
• If ever captured by a human, the Leprechaun has
  the magical power to grant three wishes in
  exchange for their release.

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THE HARP

• An ancient type of harp appears in documents
  written by Irish monks in the 8th century.
• It was also shown in coins made during the 1500s.
  
• The harp was also used as a symbol in the Irish
  Rebellion of 1798.
• It is the oldest official symbol of Ireland.
• Nowadays, It appears on Irish coins. The harp
  became the trademark of Guinness, the Irish most
  famous beer, in 1862.

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THE TRICOLOUR FLAG

• The flag of Ireland has three colourswhite,
  orange and green. Iit was first used by Irish
  nationalists who fought for their countrys
  independence from the British in 1848.
• The white in the centre of the flag represents
  the peace between the Irish people (represented
  by the green colour) and the English supporters
  of William III of England, popularly known as
  William Henry of Orange (represented by the
  orange colour)

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THE CELTIC TRIPLE SPIRAL

• The triple spiral or triskele is a Celtic
  and pre-Celtic symbol found on a number of Irish
  Megalithic and Neolithic sites, such as Newgrange
   Passage Tomb (3,200 BC).
• What the tripe spiral meant to the pagans who
  built Newgrange and other monuments is unknown,
  but it is believed to represent the "three
  realms" - Land, Sea and Sky.

Celtic Spiral
Newgrange Entrance stone

• Nowadays, Celtic symbols are very popular, and
  Spirals and Knots are used in jewellery, tatooing
  and T-shirt decorations.

Celtic Knot
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