Irish Culture

You might have an interest in knowing more about people from Ireland or our culture.In Ireland the people are very cultural orientated no matter what their interests might be. Here are some of things we’ve seen throughout Ireland.

 Wedding traditions
An Irish traditional wedding is a beautiful ceremony to see or take part in. Before Christianity found Ireland, couples who wished to show commitment to each other practised what was known as hand fasting. This ritual was most probably carried over from Pagan times. During the ritual the couple hold hands, right hand in right hand, and left hand in left with their wrists crossed. Ribbon or cord is then wrapped around the wrists in a figure eight to represent infinity.Since the birth of Christianity weddings were held in the home of a Priest or in a Church. Two candles burn separately during the ceremony which are then used to light one taller candle known as the Unity candle this is to signify two becoming one. The color of the bride's dress might determine how successful the marriage is,here there are some:

Marry in white everything’s right
Marry in blue lover be true
Marry in pink spirit’s will sink
Marry in red I wish you were dead

Leprechauns
Small enough for one to sit comfortable on your shoulder, they are very smartly dressed in small suites with waist coats, hats and buckled shoes. They are known to play the odd trick on farmers and local population of villages and towns. It is said that every Leprechaun has a pot of gold, hidden deep in the Irish countryside. To protect the leprechaun’s pot of gold the Irish fairies gave them magical powers to use if ever captured by a human or an animal. The leprechaun 'family' appears split into two distinct groups: leprechaun and cluricaun. Cluricauns may steal or borrow almost anything. The leprechaun has been described as Ireland's national fairy.

Celtic knots

Celtic knots are perhaps the most notorious and recognizable artwork in Celtic history. The more esoteric or spiritual meaning of this symbol eludes to beginnings and endings. In viewing these beautiful knots, we cannot see a beginning or and end, and therefore we are reminded of the timeless nature of our spirit. The Celtic knot can represent an uninterrupted life cycle. Some may use this symbol as a charm of sorts - warding against sickness or setbacks that might interfere with an otherwise calm and stable life. In ancient times, gifts adorned with mystic knots would be given with best wishes of longevity, or luck with new endeavors.

Celtic Triskele

The triskele, also called the spiral of life, the triple spiral and the triple goddess, is three equal spirals radiating from a common center.It is an ancient symbol with versions that have been found in a number of cultures around the world. The Celtic Triskele was found in the remnants of an ancient temple from the Bronze Age in Ireland. It is believed that it evolved from the triskellian, a symbol which looks like three legs running. Also, the Celts believed that the most important things in life came in threes: birth, death, rebirth; body, mind, spirit; earth, water, sky; past, present, future; father, son, holy ghost; and the triskele is believed to represents these tripartite meanings.









Crosses

Celtic cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. In the Celtic Christian world it was combined with the Christian cross and this design was often used for high crosses – a free-standing cross made of stone and often richly decorated. With the Celtic Revival the shape,became popular for funerary monuments and other uses, and has remained so, spreading well beyond Ireland.
Most Irish Catholic priests believe that the Celtic cross is a symbol of eternity that reflects Christ's love.The Celtic Cross is one of the most recognized of all the Celtic symbols; however, there are many definitions. The circle is sometimes described as a halo or an eternity symbol. Many have also made comparisons to the pagan sun symbols.