The Irish Harp Tattoo
The harp has for many years been a symbol for Ireland and everything Irish. The god of Irish mythology, Dagda, carried a harp along with a cauldron and club. When Dagda played the harp the seasons would proceed in the right order.
Over time the symbol of the heart evolved to include wings and was referred to as the ‘Maid of Erin’. Around the 17th century the harp and green were combined on a flag. Today the harp without the wings is the Standard of the President of Ireland.
In the 19th century the green, white and orange flag was hoisted by republicans, while the green flag became the symbol for insurgents during the 1916 uprisings. In 1918 after the general election the tricolor flag became the official national flag of Ireland.
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