The culture of this beautiful green country in the North Atlantic is little known in our country. Ireland has a long history and culture that can thank the Celts the most. Today's symbols of Ireland are mostly associated with the Celts. These are some of the symbols you will surely come across in Ireland.

Clover

One of the first symbols of Ireland that you will encounter when arriving in this country is the three-leaf clover (shamrock). The ancient Irish revered this plant because its shape (three hearts) represents the Holy Trinity.

This symbol was represented even by the ancient Celts who believed that everything important in the world comes in number three. Like three human life periods, the three phases of the Moon and the three elements: water, earth and air.

Clover was popularized by St. Patrick, the protector and baptizer of Ireland, who explained the principle of the Holy Trinity to pagans on the example of this plant. In the 19th century, the clover became a national Irish symbol of the struggle against the British crown. Those who wore this flag were punished. Today in Ireland you can find a clover leaf on every souvenir, but also in Irish cuisine.

Harp

The second most popular symbol of Ireland is the harp. Ireland is the only country in the world that has a musical instrument as its official symbol. The harp symbol is found on many Irish institutions, products and companies. Just some of them are the Irish National University, the Irish euro coin, the Irish passport, the companies Ryanair and Guinness.

Traditionally, the harp is believed to represent the immortality of the soul, and has been present in Ireland since the 10th century. In the 16th century, the British Crown ordered the burning of all specimens of this instrument, and the execution of its players.

Celtic tree of life

The Celts especially revered trees because they believed that man was a descendant of a tree. The Celtic tree of life is a tree whose dense roots reach deep into the earth and branches far into the sky. The holiest tree was the oak tree which was considered to be the entrance to the underworld and the abode of the fairies. It was also called axis mundi, which translated from Latin means the center of the world.

This tree represented wisdom, strength and longevity and brought prosperity to the people. During the settlement, the Irish planted an oak tree in the middle of the settlement to bring them stability.

Trikater - a Celtic knot

One of the so-called of Celtic knots is also a tricater. Christians believe they were brought to Ireland by monks. Either way, the tricater is considered one of the first symbols of spirituality. It represents eternal spiritual life, without beginning and end. It's a circling line. It also appears in the 9th century Gospel, the oldest written monument in Ireland, The Book of Kells.

This knot is another proof of the Celtic belief in the Trinity. This symbol can often be found in modern culture. The traditional knit is described by a circle. Nowadays, men give a ring or necklace to a loved one with this symbol. This act represents three promises: love, respect and protection.

Leprikon - Irish elf

The leprechaun is a little man from Irish folklore. He has a beard, he is dressed in green and of course he is red. He repairs shoes and lives alone. According to legend, he owns a jar full of gold at the end of the rainbow. If he catches it, a man can ask him to fulfill three wishes.

Leprikon owes its current description to the derogatory and stereotypical caricatures of 19th-century Irish people. The leprechaun is also the mascot of St. Patrick's Day and certainly the most famous Irishman. It is extremely interesting for tourists to dress up in this elf.

Thank you for reading my article ... I hope that you enjoyed ...

I send you a big greetings!

@GreenOasis