Hickman 1

Mackenzie Hickman
Professor Raymond
UWRT 1104-004
19 October 2018
Celtic Knot
Majority of my family originated from Ireland and some parts of Germany. Except
the one I am focusing on is my Irish side since it is the most that makes up my family
history. Throughout my immediate family, I am the child that has the most significant
Irish features that can be seen. I have the typical Irish nose that is small and rounded at
the end, I also have the typical green eyes, the only green eyes in my immediate family
actually, and I have the features of the red hair. Naturally, my hair follicles take to the
color red and even in the sunlight have highlights of red. Although this writing prompt
isn’t necessarily about my features, it is more on the background of Ireland and how the
history has shaped it today.
The Irish flag, frequently referred to as the Irish tricolour. The flag itself is a
vertical tricolour of green, white and orange. The flag was first presented as a gift in
1848 to Thomas Francis Meagher from a small group of French women sympathetic to
the Irish cause, it was intended to symbolise the inclusion and hoped-for union between
Roman Catholics and Protestants. Since the flag was designed and given to Meagher,
the flag has not changed in design. Simply because the three colors have their own
meaning and symbolization to the country. Such as the green standing for the country’s
Catholic population as well as to symbolize revolution. White is thought to represent
peace and the everlasting hope that the country’s Protestant and Catholic populations
can live together in harmony. Used for William of Orange, or King William III of England,
Scotland and Ireland, the color orange is thought to symbolize Ireland’s Protestant
population. A Protestant King, William III is most well known for defeating the dethroned
King James II, a Roman Catholic, at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, giving Protestants
control over Ireland.
Every country has a National Anthem of their own, given that my family is Irish, I
actually grew up knowing their National Anthem, except I never knew the history of the
song, until now. In English, the National Anthem is called “The Soldier’s Song”, in their
language it is called “Amhrán na bhFiann”. The music was composed by Peadar
Kearney and Patrick Heeney. The song has three verses, but only the choral refrain has
been officially designated the national anthem. The Free State did not initially adopt any
official anthem. The delicate political state in the aftermath of the Civil War provoked a
desire to avoid controversy. Ex-unionists continued to regard "God Save the King" as
the national anthem, as it had been for the rest of the British Empire. The fact that "The
Soldier's Song" described Irishmen fighting a foreign foe allowed it to overlook the
painful memory of the Civil War. The Irish needed something that was for their country
and that was different from the rest. This anthem did that for them, and although on the
 Hickman 2

chorus is really sung because the whole anthem itself is long and hard to remember,
everyone knows the chorus, including myself. Although I would have to refresh my
memory, I knew it by heart at one point in my life due to my grandparents.
Lastly, something that is important to my family and even symbolize Irish culture,
is the Celtic Knot. It is a design that is encrypted in certain texts in Ireland and even just
a symbol of the country. The knots are said to symbolize loyalty, faith, friendship or love.
Every loop is consisted of only one loop, each connecting each together to create the
pattern. It shows how life and eternity are interconnected. Although I am not sure if the
Celtic Knot originated in Ireland, it is still a big symbol to their country and culture. The
Celtic Knot is for Irish, but can also be for Catholics. Most information relating to Celtic
knots is dated after 450 A.D when Christian influence on the Celtic civilization began to
take hold. The designs can be seen in a variety of early Christian artwork and
manuscripts with the addition of plants, humans and even animals in the art. When most
people think of the Celtic Knot, they make picture the Trinity Knot, also known as the
Triquetra. The points on this threefold knot are said to represent the Holy Trinity of the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Irish culture is very important to my family. Everyone that is Irish in my family
that has tattoos, actually has some kind of Celtic Knot as a tattoo, and one day I will
have one as well. It symbolizes my culture and where my roots come from and to be a
part of the Irish culture is something to be proud of and I am proud of it. Getting to do
research on things like the National Anthem and actually know the background on it
rather than just singing it and not knowing anything, is something really amazing and
important to one’s life, especially mine. My roots say a lot about who I am as a person
and something I am proud to say and represent.

Citations
 Hickman 3

Origin of the Irish National Anthem. (2013, June 16). Retrieved from http://www.from-
ireland.net/origin-irish-national-anthem/

Celtic Knot Meanings. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.celtic-weddingrings.com/celtic-

knot-meaning

History of the Irish Flag. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.1848tricolour.com/history-of-

the-irish-flag/