The clover leaf is a symbol of Ireland. What is the symbol of Northern Ireland

Treasures and relics of the British Crown Maryana Vadimovna Skuratovskaya

Shamrock - Ireland

“Now we three Stuarts,” he said, “are as inseparable as the sacred shamrock.” They say that whoever carries this sacred herb with him has no power over him. evil spell, so we, as long as we are faithful to each other, are not afraid of the treachery of our enemies.

Walter Scott. Perth beauty

Unlike the proud Tudor rose and thistle, and the more humble leek, the shamrock is not so much the official emblem of Ireland as its unofficial symbol. The official one is the Irish harp. Both the harp and the shamrock can be seen on the coat of arms of the United Kingdom.

It’s easier to say where you can’t find an image of a green “three-leaf” leaf of a white clover... And on St. Patrick’s Day, the patron saint of Ireland, it’s just everywhere.

Since ancient times, the shamrock has been revered as a sacred plant, and then, already in the Christian era, it became a symbol of the Holy Trinity - they say that it was with its help that St. Patrick explained its essence to people. “Just as three leaves can grow from one stem, so God can be one in three faces" And with the help of a shamrock cross, he managed to kill all the snakes in Ireland. True... this is apparently not true. IN historical documents Regarding St. Patrick, nothing is said about the shamrock.

The first mention of the relationship between the revered saint in the country and the shamrock dates back to 1726 - in a book on the field plants of Ireland by Dr. Caleb Trekeld. There is a mention of the tradition of wearing a shamrock on a saint's day in a poem published in 1689, so, apparently, this custom is not that old, and began around late XVII centuries (before that they wore “crosses” made of green ribbons, St. Patrick’s crosses).

In addition, there were debates about what a “real” shamrock is, what kind of plant it is - clover, and if clover, then which one. Or maybe it’s some kind of sorrel?

No wonder the Irish tried to defend their beloved shamrock and the customs associated with it! Here is what one of the authors of the Dublin Penny Journal wrote: “Other countries can, like us, be proud of their shamrock. But nowhere in all the land, be it on the mainland or on the island, is there enough of this juicy grass to properly fatten sheep. Both in winter and in summer, our limestone hills are covered with a green carpet, which becomes even greener from the fogs floating from the Atlantic. Shamrocks are everywhere. Throw a pebble on the top of a mountain or in the middle of a swamp, and a shamrock will immediately grow. When Saint Patrick drove all poisonous creatures (except people) from his mountain, a shamrock grew from his footprints. And if the readers of your magazine climb to the top of this most beautiful of the mountains of Ireland, they will see that the shamrock still grows there, turning its honey-bearing flowers to the wind from the west. I confess that I have no patience with the impudent Englishmen who want to make us believe that this dear plant, associated with our religious passions and passion for having fun, is not the favorite plant of St. Patrick, and who want to sell it to us as a symbol of our faith and our nationality this small, sour, frail sorrel! It's all that stubborn, prim Saxon, Mr. Beechenr. Although Keogh, Trecald and other Irish botanists claim that the shamrock is trifolium repens[white clover]. And Trekeld writes: “People wear the shamrock on their hats every year on March 17th (this is St. Patrick’s Day). Now it is generally accepted that with the help of a shamrock he explained to them the mystery of the Holy Trinity.” True, when they “drown the shamrock,” they often overindulge in alcohol, which is not appropriate to do on a holy holiday! The English also refer to the testimony of Spencer, another Saxon, who in his “Description of Affairs in Ireland” [the poet Edmund Spencer published a pamphlet on the situation in Ireland in 1596] writes that if the Irish manage to find a clearing with clover or watercress, then This is a real feast for them. He also quotes one English satirist, a certain Witt, who writes with ridicule about those “who dress in capes and, like the Irish, eat clover.”

But we are not so easy to overcome, Mr. Sachs! We Irish are not inclined to part with our favorite plant at your request! Yes, in hard times the Irish could try to satisfy their hunger with clover, as happened two years ago when we ate seaweed - because hunger will break and stone wall. But don't the Welsh decorate their hats with leeks on St David's Day? And sometimes they eat their hot leek, as Shakespeare wrote, either as an insult or as a seasoning [one of the heroes of the play “Henry V” cannot stand leek, and another, a Welsh patriot, defends the honor of his symbol with a club in his hands]. So there is no shame in the Irishman, if he already feels this strange state called hunger, to chew clover! For that matter, when I go to spend time in good company, I would prefer that my breath smells of honey grass than that I smell of garlic! But the Welshman does not live on leeks alone, any more than the poor Irishman lives on clover. Because, undoubtedly, neither one nor the other is nutritious. But to Mr. Bicheno's credit, he has another argument in favor of the fact that the favorite plant in this country is the oxalis, and this argument is much more to the taste of the Irish. He says that a bunch of sorrel is a much better substitute for lemon than clover. There really is something in this - if anything is suitable, it would be sorrel. But let the Saxon do what he can. Even in his own territory, even in London, he will find it very difficult to convince our fellow tribesmen living in the St. Giles area [a poor area where immigrants from Ireland lived] that oxalis acetosella, this small, sour, frail sour is a fitting emblem for Ireland. No really. I'd like some clover, please. Green shamrock!

This short essay captures the essence of the relationship between Ireland and the shamrock. He's his own. "Irish".

This small, tenacious plant, which, according to legend, warded off evil and could help with snake bites or warn of an impending storm, became a hero folk songs. Brides put it in their bouquet. It was worn on hats, and later on clothes, not only by the Irish, but also by those who wanted to show their affection for them - even King George IV wore a hat with a shamrock during his visit to Dublin (and, of course, the Irish could not resist composed another satirical song about this).

But there are much more serious and sad moments in his story. In 1798, the song “Wearing Green” appeared, which lamented the ban on “wearing green”, in particular wearing a shamrock on a hat. In 1798, a revolt against English rule broke out in Ireland... It was brutally suppressed a few months later, and two years later Ireland became part of the United Kingdom. Rebels could be hanged for wearing the sign. The shamrock became not just a symbol, but a nationalistic symbol.

Unsurprisingly, Irish units of the British Army were prohibited from wearing the shamrock, a ban only lifted by Queen Victoria when the Irish regiments showed their worth during the second Boer War (1899–1902). True, many Irish considered it a mockery to wear the sign of Ireland on an English military uniform.

But be that as it may, at the beginning of the 20th century, it was no longer only the Irish who willingly wore shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day. The number of those who celebrated this day with them grew every year... And is still growing.

Yes, the green shamrock has become the symbol of the Green Island. As the song “Wearing Green” sang, “When the laws can stop the grass from growing, and the leaves dare not show their color in summer, then I will change the color I wear on my hat. But until then, God help me, I will wear green.”

author Gumilev Lev Nikolaevich

Trefoil desk to the Brotherly Mongolian people

From the book In Search of an Imaginary Kingdom [L/F] author Gumilev Lev Nikolaevich

bird's eye shamrock

From the book In Search of an Imaginary Kingdom [L/F] author Gumilev Lev Nikolaevich

Trefoil mound

From the book In Search of an Imaginary Kingdom [L/F] author Gumilev Lev Nikolaevich

Mousehole Shamrock

From the book In Search of an Imaginary Kingdom [L/F] author Gumilev Lev Nikolaevich

Trefoil of the mental tree

From the book Ireland. History of the country by Neville Peter

Ireland and Rome A distinctive feature of Irish history is the absence of Roman rule. True, it almost happened: in 81 AD. e. The Roman general Agricola seriously considered invading Ireland, but his plans were disrupted by Emperor Domitian,

by Black Jeremy

From the book History of the British Isles by Black Jeremy

Ireland Thanks to the adoption of the Reformation, Scotland and Wales were integrated into British politics and acquired a British identity. However, Ireland rejected the Reformation, and this was a key factor in Ireland's departure from the general British model.

Our article is a kind of digest, the top 5 most popular symbols of Ireland.

Three-leaf clover as the national symbol of Ireland

The shamrock is associated with Saint Patrick, as it was used by this preacher to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish who were not aware of Catholicism. Legend tells that Saint Patrick tried to convert King Angus to Christianity by showing a clover and saying that each leaf represented an entity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The whole clover represented God and made it possible to explain that God is present in three persons.

This plant is not only a symbol of Ireland, but is considered a lucky amulet all over the world!

Every time on March 17, St. Patrick's Day, the Irish draw their national and religious symbol on their cheeks or attach it to their clothes and party hats.

Note: the three-leaf clover is also the emblem of the Irish national rugby team.

Sheep as an amulet

In Ireland you can find sheep almost everywhere, on the deserted roads of Connemara or near big cities... These animals have become integral part countries. Why are there so many sheep in Ireland? Simply because sheep are economical animals, both in care and in food, because farmers can allow them to graze with complete freedom. Which, by the way, sometimes creates traffic jams on Irish roads. But mainly sheep are financial manna from heaven, as they provide the raw material for the famous Irish pullovers and tweeds.

Plus, the sheep has become a talisman that tourists love to photograph and take with them, as a souvenir, of course!

Leprechaun and the golden cauldron

A character from Irish legends, the Leprechaun is something of an elf. This little creature(90 cm tall, according to official sources) is not very good character and does not allow people to get close to him. Those rare lucky ones who have seen him say that this stocky naughty guy dresses all in green and wears a shoemaker's apron (since this is one of his crafts). It is also said that Leprechauns often drink home-made liquor and smoke a pipe.

Don't look for Madame Leprechaun: Leprechaun is always him! In Ireland, the legend of the Leprechaun is accompanied by another symbol: the golden cauldron. The fact is that in Irish folklore this character possesses a cauldron full of gold coins, which he jealously guards!

Celtic harp

You may have noticed that Irish euro coins feature a harp - another national symbol. symbol of Ireland. We are talking about a special instrument called the “Celtic harp” or “Gaelic harp”, whose origins go back to the Middle Ages. This harp has been used in Irish heraldry since 1922.

Legendary Irish beer Guinness

The last symbol on our list, but this does not mean that it is the least popular! Black beer flows freely on St. Patrick's Day National holiday Ireland). It can be recognized by dark color and the taste of coffee or cocoa. These two characteristics are caused by the use of well-roasted beans. Even if there are many brands of Irish beer, the most famous is undoubtedly Guinness beer. Researchers are at a loss to calculate how many pints of this magical drink are drunk by the Irish and everyone else every year on the holiday of March 17th.

House of Ireland and Iceland in ETHNOMIR

Kaluga region, Borovsky district, Petrovo village

Ireland in the ethnographic park-museum “ETNOMIR” is represented in the “Around the World” pavilion on Peace Street, where houses are located one after another different regions planets - only 22 houses from Europe, USA and Canada. in ETNOMIR is an opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of the country, understand and feel its uniqueness.

And in the fall, ETNOMIR hosts the Festival of European Countries: mimes, street performers, acrobats and musicians are everywhere, traditional entertainment for the Old World - when everyone is happy, faces are illuminated with smiles and the soul sings! And of course, frequent guests concert program groups performing Irish folk dances become part of the park.

Throughout the world, the clover plant is known as a symbol of the island of Ireland, attributed to St. Patrick, who used the plant in the 5th century to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity to Irish Catholics. Clover was one of the sacred plants of the ancient Celts and it was only centuries later that it became associated with St. Patrick, the patron and protector of the island. Saint Patrick was an ardent believer Christian religion and wanted to convey the word about God to the people of Ireland. Here the clover has succeeded with its three edges to represent the Son, Father and Holy Spirit. The three properties of theology found in the Bible are faith, love and hope. This way of teaching the Christian faith seems to have taken hold in the community.

The first iconographic documents that indicate the use of clover by saints date back to 1600.

St. Patrick's Day Tradition

This plant is used as a hair decoration on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day. The tradition of St. Patrick's Day hasn't changed much from 1700 to today! At the end of the festival, the Irish performed a ritual. Clover was removed from hair or hats and placed in a glass with the last sip of whiskey.

There is another theory that suggests the first use of clover in the Irish tradition. In 1571, Edmund Campion, a noted English scholar of the Elizabethan era, wrote that clover in Ireland was commonly used as food. In fact, the Irish didn't eat clover, but they did eat sorrel. A plant similar to clover. It was used in pharmacies and in medieval cuisine as a seasoning to flavor dishes. IN scientific literature One can find numerous supposed Irish customs for the clover plant.

Clover as a symbol of the struggle for independence

Since the 18th century, clovers have been adopted as a symbol of Ireland's struggle for independence. It is currently the symbol of several battalions of the British Army such as the Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment. Wearing clover on military or civilian clothing became a sign of national pride.

The uniform chosen by Prince William for his wedding to Kate Middleton is the Irish Guards uniform. On the prince's collar you can see two white embroideries in the shape of a clover!
The shamrock has also become a symbol of numerous organizations, clubs and sports teams such as: National airline Aer Lingus, Irish Football Association (Northern Ireland), Irish National Rugby Team, Irish Farmers' Association, Shamrock Rovers (Dublin Football Club).
The official symbol of Ireland is the Celtic harp, but the clover also has special meaning For the Irish, it is so often associated with a green island, more than Marfa.

In order for you to become a little clearer about why the three-leaf clover became the symbol of Northern Ireland, you need to get to know something else no less, and even more important character- Saint Patrick.

Afro-Irish of British blood

Behind many symbols there are odious figures. Northern Ireland is no exception.

Patrick was born and raised in Roman Britain in the town of Bannavem. By historical information we're talking about about one of the provinces during the reign of the Roman Empire in the British Isles.

The young man grew up normal person, without special divine prerequisites and aspirations to know the spirituality of everything and everyone. Perhaps this would have been the case if not for his capture and subsequent slavery in Northern Ireland. The young man could not endure the hardships of deprivation for long and fled. It must be said that he was not very successful, since he was captured and again the bonds of bondage could not hold him.

Believing that divine guidance had helped him, Patrick decided to be ordained. And he began to preach in Ireland about the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And here on the stage is that same trefoil. Three leaves - three hypostases of God. Saint Patrick found something in common in this and used the example of the three-leaf clover to explain the role of the Divine Trinity.

Today you can see images with this plant in his hand. It is customary to portray him in this way. Even on a holiday, when the saint is honored, it is customary to dress in green clothes, organize cheerful musical events, generously treat friends and wear crosses made of paper or fabric on clothes. Interestingly, all drinking establishments throughout Ireland used to close on this day. But the holiday cannot be banned, and the authorities eventually allowed the tradition to all true Irish.

And why he is an African becomes clear when you find out that in Nigeria he is revered no less than in Ireland.

Truth and fiction

Not everything that is generally accepted is true. The shamrock has its defenders and opponents.

Not all historians share the version about the role of the shamrock in Patrick's sermons in Northern Ireland. There is no indication of such facts in the saint’s writings. Therefore, it is generally accepted that clover is to some extent a fiction that does not correspond to reality.

However, the shamrock has become popular and is one of the main symbols of Northern Ireland along with St. Patrick himself, the distinctive Celtic harp, the white flag with red stripes and many others. Just as it is impossible to imagine without the tricolor flag, so it is impossible to imagine the modern Irish without the three green leaves of this simple plant, which played such a role. significant role in spreading faith in God.

06.03.2015

Saint Patrick, the shamrock and Ireland are inextricably united in national tradition, like the three-headed leaf of green clover itself. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of the Irish, their spiritual mentor, contributed greatly to the Christianization of the island's population in the 5th century. Everyone is well aware of the legend about how the high priest explained to the pagan Celts, mostly peasants, the meaning of the sacrament of the Holy Trinity. The theological question was quite difficult to understand, then the preacher used a shamrock as a visual aid.

A leaf with three rounded petals is one whole, and at the same time consists of three parts, just like the Unity of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The circle in the center means time, and the intersecting veins-lines mean eternity, and everything is inseparably united in God. Thus, the priest managed to adapt pagan ideas to the new religious teaching. After all, even before Patrick’s arrival in Ireland, small clover leaves were used as amulets by the pagan Celtic priests - the Druids. They believed that the trefoil contained a symbol of the infinite life cycle- life, death and rebirth.

That's why the Irish so often plant clover on their graves. The Irish believed in Christ and made the shamrock their national symbol. Many peoples consider it a lucky omen to find a leaf with four petals, and the Irish believe that such a rare specimen serves as a reliable magical talisman, protecting from negative energy. By folk tradition each of the four leaves has its own meaning - the first means hope, the second - faith, the third - love, the fourth - luck. Others interpret the meaning of each petal differently.

The leaf at the bottom left attracts fame, at the top left it helps to gain wealth, the top right one promises good luck in love and loyalty of a partner, the bottom right one guarantees health and happiness. A later theory about the adoption of the shamrock as a symbol sees a hidden political meaning in this - to remind the British that although the island is under their control, the provinces of Ireland and the people inhabiting them are united in their strong state. In the minds of the people, this plant has always had sacred meaning- power, glory and honor.

This small plant in the cultural and religious traditions of Ireland has great importance. On St. Patrick's Day, which is celebrated on March 17, the image of a shamrock (in English "shamrock") decorates streets, shops, schools, homes, clothing and hats. Clover is one of the symbols of spring, its emerald decoration. Therefore, on the day of the holiday in honor of the patron saint of the country green color becomes dominant in the outfits of the Irish and the decoration of their homes.

Since ancient times, the shamrock motif in tattoos has been very popular among peoples descended from the ancient Celts. During an Irish wedding, the bride includes a shamrock in her bouquet and the groom wears a clover boutonniere in his buttonhole. Although clover grows everywhere in Ireland, this herbaceous plant is cultivated both to decorate front lawns and as a houseplant.