A new national flag?

Meh

Originally posted by Boston
the flag dates back Meh, to daniel o donell, it was inspired by his tiem in france during their revolution

http://www.irlgov.ie/iveagh/information/facts/factsheets/flag.htm

The flag was first introduced by Thomas Francis Meagher during the revolutionary year of 1848 as an emblem of the Young Ireland movement, and it was often seen at meetings alongside the French tricolour

The green represents the older Gaelic and Anglo-Norman element in the population, while the orange represents the Protestant planter stock, supporters of William of Orange. The meaning of the white was well expressed by Meagher when he introduced the flag. 'The white in the centre,' he said, 'signifies a lasting truce between the 'Orange' and the 'Green' and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in heroic brotherhood.'

Saying that the orange in the flag should be removed because it represents the Orange Order and their sectarianism is kind of like saying that the green in the flag should be removed because it represents IRA terrorism. The orange represents the overwhelming majority of Protestants on this island who aren't bigots.

davros

Originally posted by Boston
Now you may not feel attacted, but the flag is internationaly reconized as irish, just as much as the shamrock or the harp, its a trademark, and you would want to be stupid to change a trade mark like that

This would be a very interesting survey. Show the flag to a representative selection of foreigners and see how many can identify it as Irish. I'll bet they wouldn't know it from those of Italy, Mexico, Ivory Coast or any tinpot country of a few million people. It's just another boring tricolour like three-quarters of all flags.

If you want to talk about branding, look at the Japanese flag: unusual circular design, land of the rising sun imagery and the striking blood-red colour against a white background. No chance of confusing that with the flags of, say, Moldova or Haiti.

the fnj

Yes the flag is boring and the colours clash. I always feel I like such a jerk when I go to a rugby match and bring an Ireland flag.

How about we make it black (it goes with everything) and stick a picture of Britney Spears on it. She is really popular at the moment and it would make our flag so much cooler.

gandalf

Originally posted by WhiteWashMan
actually blue is the colour of catholacism, not green, so whats the green on the flag for?

Hmmm that makes the European Union flag a sectarian one then

God MonoCultural Mr. D. Trimble should crusade about that next !!!

Gandalf.

Meh

Originally posted by gandalf
Hmmm that makes the European Union flag a sectarian one then

Well what do you expect from an organization that was founded by the Treaty of Rome? NO SURRENDER </Paisley>

Lemming

Originally posted by Meh
Well what do you expect from an organization that was founded by the Treaty of Rome? NO SURRENDER </Paisley>

<Ian Paisley rant>
This is a SELL-OUT!!! A conspiracy being hatched against the loyalist people!! Tony Blair is in league with the devil himself .. the roman catholic church and the irish government!! The world is against us. We are right, they are ALL wrong! Repent heretics!! REPENT!!!!
</Ian Paisley rant>

davros

Originally posted by gandalf

Hmmm that makes the European Union flag a sectarian one then

God MonoCultural Mr. D. Trimble should crusade about that next !!!

There are nutcases out there who really think this is true. Have a look at this book:
Britain and the Emerging Holy European Empire
According to him, the 12 stars come from the 12-star halo around Mary in religious paintings. :rolleyes: