Shared symbols in Northern Ireland

The harp has been associated with Ireland for hundreds of years. Gaelic cheiftains employed harpist to entertain them and their guests. In the 1600s it was the symbol of Irishness adopted by Owen Roe O'Neill in his war against English conquest. In the 1790s it was adopted by the United Irishmen (radical Protestants who wanted an independent Ireland).

However the harp has also symbolised Ireland within the British empire – for example the harp was part of RIC and RUC police badges. The harp is also a symbol used by some Irish regiments within the British Army.

Legend has it that St Patrick used the shamrock to explain the trinity to the Irish and convert them to Christianity. It is recognised around the world as a symbol of Ireland. People wear shamrocks on St Patrick's Day to commemorate the saint. It is also used within Unionist tradition – for example the Royal Irish Rangers wear shamrocks on St Patrick's day. The shamrock is the national flower of Northern Ireland, like the rose in England or thistle in Scotland.

The symbol for the Northern Ireland assembly is a good example of an attempt to choose a shared and inclusive symbol. The blue flower is the flax flower – and flax was the plant at the basis of the successful linen industry in the north of Ireland. People from all backgrounds worked in the linen industry, making the flax flower a neutral symbol.

Northern Ireland Flag:

The Union Jack (or Union Flag) is Northern Ireland's official flag. The well known Red Hand Flag (shown below) has not been officially used since 1973. It ceased to have official government sanction when the Parliament of Northern Ireland was dissolved by the British government in 1972.

«Ольстерское знамя» (29.05.1953 — 30.03.1972) С 1953 по 1972 год правительством и правительственными организациями Северной Ирландии использовался специальный флаг, известный как «Ольстерское знамя». Он состоял из георгиевского креста, внутри которого были расположены белая шестиконечная звезда и красная кисть руки (символ древнего Ольстера). Сверху над звездой находилась корона. Неофициально жители Северной Ирландии вывешивают на праздники тот флаг, который соответствует их политическим пристрастиям: флаг Великобритании, Северной Ирландии или Ирландской Республики. Первые два используются юнионистами — сторонниками союза с Великобританией, последний — националистами, особенно на спортивных мероприятиях. Военизированные формирования с обеих сторон имеют собственные флаги.

Northern Ireland Coat of Arms:

The coat of arms shown above is NOT the coat of arms of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland does not have an official coat of arms. The image shown above is of a historical coat of arms used from 1924 to 1972.

Read more about the Ulster Flag and the coat of arms here:

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Герб_Северной_Ирландии

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Northern_Ireland

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Northern_Ireland

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Ireland

Flags Used in Northern Ireland

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