|
TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - HARP TATTOOS
Tattoo Symbol Index -
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Tattoo designs - H >>
Harps
 Harp Tattoo Meanings
- The Harp has long been a symbol associated with Ireland and all
things Irish and is a popular tattoo design, but many people are
unfamiliar with the origins of the symbol. The 'Emerald Isle' flies
a flag of green, representing the ancient Gaelic tradition. Against
this background sits the gold Harp, a symbol with origins going back
to Ireland's mythic past. This came to be known as the 'Green Flag'.
|
|
Dagda, the supreme god of Irish mythology, carried a Harp along with
a cauldron and a club. The Harp, richly ornamented and made of oak,
represented music and poetry. When Dagda played it, the seasons were
sure to proceed in their correct order. Legend tells us that Dagda's
harpist was once abducted by the enemy, and his harp silenced, left
to collect dust, hanging on a wall. At the sound of Dagda's calling,
the harp leapt back into his hands, and on the way it took out nine
of the enemy, killing them on the spot. Clearly, the Irish Harp has
many uses. |
 It was the Irish nationalist, Owen Roe O'Neill, who is said to have
brought harp and green together on a flag in 1642, although it did
not capture the popular imagination until after a few more
rebellions against the English. The Harp itself became known as the
'Maid of Erin' after it acquired a pair of wings at the beginning of
the nineteenth century. It was incorporated into the British Royal
Standard, appearing in the lower left quadrant. Today, the Harp
without the wings is the Standard of the President of Ireland.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, the Harp on the green
background was flown by the fighters for a united Ireland. The
emblem became synonymous with their cause, and later in the century
was extensively used by Daniel O'Connell, the leader of the rebel
campaigns. The emblem was also displayed during peaceful
demonstrations for the repeal of the union with England. Its great
popularity was seen by the English as seditious.
 Another Irish national flag - the green, white, and orange 'Tricolor' -- was flown by republican movements during the 19th century. Historians argue that the Green Flag remained the unofficial flag of the confederate Irish up until 1918. Both the Tricolour and the Green Flag were used by insurgents during the uprisings of 1916. When the republican separatists (Sinn Fein) won the general election in 1918, the Green Flag was designated a secondary role while the Tricolour became the national flag of Ireland.
But the Irish Harp, with its associations with the mythical past,
still fills the air today with Dagda's music -- the music of tears,
the music of mirth, and the music of sleep and dreams.
 As a tattoo symbol, the Harp conjures up the 'terrible beauty' of
Ireland that poet William Butler Yeats so heart-achingly describes
in his poem 'Easter, 1916', which he wrote in response to the Easter
Rebellion. The harp represents the mysticism, the lyrical majesty
and beauty of Irish music and song, poetry and language and yet
stands also for steadfast independence, loyalty, pride and the
centuries long striving and struggle for an Irish identity and an
Irish soul separate from England and Great Britain.
Get
inspired by some great images and photos in our
Harp
Inspiration Gallery
Harp tattoo designs
and ideas by some of the world's top tattoo artists and flash
illustrators.
See also:
Religious Tattoo Index
Tattoo designs - H >>
Harps
Tattoo Symbol Index -
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
|
