[A Brief Overview on the] Heraldry and Standards of the Tribes
http://en.wikipedia....Flag_of_Denmark
Legend states the origin of the Danish flag [was founded on the account of] the Battle of Lyndanisse [Valdemar] near Lyndanisse (Tallinn) in Estonia, on June 15, 1219. The battle was going badly, and defeat seemed imminent. But then, right when the Danes were about to give up, the flag fell from heaven. Grasping the flag before it could ever touch the ground, the king took it in his hand, and proudly waved it in front of his discouraged troops, giving them hope, and leading them to victory.The myth is clear.The flag, Dannebrog, was given to the Danes from God himself, and from that day forward, it was the flag of Denmark, and the Danish kings.
http://www.crwflags....lags/gb-ni.html
The celebrated 'Red Hand' badge of O'Neill was probably grounded on a theme in Gaelic mythology. It may have originally symbolized the pre-Christian Celtic sun-god Nuadu – 'he who dwells in the clouds'. The latter's well-known designation, Argatlámh signified 'silver Hand' and his alias Bolg had a son, (mythologically speaking) named "Lámhdearg-Labraid" (Red Hand). Nuadu and Bolg were appellations of the Érainn or Ivernic, sun-god, the equivalent term in the Gaelic language being Nél.
[Even the Great Khan is mentioned as being signified a Great Leader by his Red Hand]
http://www.biography.com/genghis-khan/
According to the "Secret History of the Mongols" (a contemporary account of Mongol history), Temujin was born with a blood clot in his hand, a sign in Mongol folklore that he was destined to become a leader.
http://en.wikipedia..../Flag_of_Ulster
The open right hand, the Dextera Dei, has also been employed as a Christian symbol. In early Christian iconography God the Father was frequently represented by the open right hand occasionally within a circle or nimbus. An example of this motif can be seen on one of the arms of the 10th century High Cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice. [placed in a star in heraldry often crowned][Probably a distant Raven Sun Symbol association here too]
The story of the Red Hand of Ulster reputedly dates to the arrival of Heremon, Heber and Ir - sons of King Milesius of Spain (Galicia), who were dispatched to conquer Ireland in 504 BC. One of them supposedly cut off his hand and tossed it ashore, that he might be the one to have first claim to the land. In Mythological terms he could have come from a tradition like the Kerr's who swore on their left hand so that they could always avenge there enemies, the mytho term meaning they landed and estabished the right hand line here - or continued tradition or if both mixed?]
http://www.ensignmes...es/redhand.html
There is no symbol more vilified and despised in this United Kingdom than the "Red Hand of Ulster" flag. Indeed, at time of writing, it has come to my attention that this flag is so detested by the Scottish Parliament that to wave or display this flag in public could constitute an offence under their new antisectarianism legislation. This is no accident, for the Red Hand of Ulster is the key to understanding the purpose of God [and its people] ...As the book Erin's Blood Royal* clearly puts forth, many of the Irish people are clearly identified as being descended from the Milesian kings, making them descendants of Judah.
http://www.crwflags....lags/gb-ni.html
An interesting photograph was found at http://imperialflags...lster-flag.html, showing the use of a plain union flag, with a red hand centred, on the offices of the Belfast Telegraph in Fleet Street (London). The original caption stated "Original caption: Ulster flag in London for Empire Day. An Irish newspaper office in fleet street. London, flew the new Ulster flag for the first time recently. The Ulster flag is the Union Jack with red hand in the centre." The date is uncertain, but likely early 20th century, based on the use of the red ensigns as national flags beside this flag. Originally reported by Laird Keir, 24 March 2009. [Link No Longer Displays Info - good catch]
http://en.wikipedia..../Flag_of_Ulster
The Red Hand of Ulster is a symbol derived from the O'Neill dynasty who were historic monarchs of the provincial kingdom, while the gold background featuring a red cross comes from the coat of arms of the Burkes, a Hiberno-Norman noble family.
http://en.wikipedia....i/Flag_of_Wales
The flag incorporates the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr, King of Gwynedd, along with the Tudor colours of green and white. It was used by Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 after which it was carried in state to St Paul's Cathedral. The red dragon was then included in the Tudor royal arms to signify their Welsh descent. The flag was granted official status in 1959, but the red dragon itself has been associated with Wales for centuries, though the origin of the adoption of the dragon symbol is now lost in history and myth. A possible theory is that the Romans brought the emblem to what is now Wales during their occupation of Britain in the form of the Draco standards born by the Roman cavalry, itself inspired by the symbols of the Dacians or Parthians. The oldest known use of the dragon to represent Wales is from the Historia Brittonum written around 830. The red dragon is popularly believed to have been the battle standard of Arthur and other ancient Celtic/Romano-British leaders. It is particularly associated in Welsh poetry with Cadwaladr king of Gwynedd from c.655 to 682.
http://en.wikipedia....atrick%27s_Flag
Some contemporary responses to the badge of the order complained that an X-shaped cross was the Cross of St Andrew, patron of Scotland, although modern vexillology allows only a blue-and-white design to be so called. A February 1783 newspaper complained that "the breasts of Irishmen were to be decorated by the bloody Cross of St Andrew, and not that of the tutelar Saint of their natural isle". Another article claimed that "the Cross of St Andrew the Scotch saint is to honour the Irish order of St Patrick, by being inserted within the star of the order [...] a manifest insult to common sense and to national propriety" The Celtic cross and Brigid's cross are other crosses which have been used as symbols of Ireland.
http://en.wikipedia....ki/Celtic_Cross
In Ireland, it is a popular legend that the Celtic Catholic cross was introduced by Saint Patrick or possibly Saint Declan during his time converting the pagan Irish, though no examples survive from this early period. It has often been claimed that Patrick combined the symbol of Christianity with the sun cross ... Some of these 'Celtic' crosses bear inscriptions in runes ... There are similar crosses in France, that cannot be really considered as Celtic crosses, even if some specialists think they are influenced from the British Isles. Their design is different, but all the French examples are quite analogous in shape to each other. They are found mainly in the western part of France, in Normandy, Britanny and Limousin as far as Auvergne. [solar symbol]
http://en.wikipedia....rigid%27s_cross
Brigid's crosses are associated with Brigid of Kildare, who is venerated as one of the patron saints of Ireland. The crosses are traditionally made on February 1st, which in the Irish language is called St. Brigid's feast day. As was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes both for warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave them into a cross, fastening the points together. The sick man asked what she was doing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked, his delirium quieted and he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving, he converted. Since then, the cross of rushes has existed in Ireland.
http://en.wikipedia....the_Isle_of_Man
The flag of the Isle of Man, or flag of Mann (Manx: brattagh Vannin), is a triskelion, composed of three armoured legs with golden spurs, upon a red background. It has been the official flag of Mann since 1931 and is based on the Manx coat of arms, which dates to the 13th century. The three legs are known in Manx as ny tree cassyn ("the three legs"). The triskelion is an ancient symbol, used by the Mycenaeans and the Lycians.
http://en.wikipedia....i/Isle_of_Wight
The Isle of Wight is first mentioned in writing in Geography by Claudius Ptolemaeus. At the end of the Roman Empire the island of Vectis became a Jutish kingdom ruled by King Stuf and his successors until AD 661 when it was invaded by Wulfhere of Mercia and forcibly converted to Christianity at sword point. When he left for Mercia the islanders reverted to paganism.
In AD 685 it was invaded by Caedwalla of Wessex and can be considered to have become part of Wessex. Following the accession of West Saxon kings as kings of all England, it then became part of England. The island became part of the shire of Hampshire and was divided into hundreds as was the norm. In 686, it became the last part of England to convert to Christianity.
The island suffered especially from Viking predations. Alfred the Great's navy defeated the Danes in 871 after they had "ravaged Devon and the Isle of Wight". The Norman Conquest created the position of Lord of the Isle of Wight. Carisbrooke Priory and the fort of Carisbrooke Castle were founded. The island did not come under full control of the Crown until it was sold by the dying last Norman Lord, Lady Isabella de Fortibus, to Edward I in 1293.
The Lordship thereafter became a royal appointment, with a brief interruption when Henry de Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick was in 1444 crowned King of the Isle of Wight, with King Henry VI assisting in person at the ceremony, placing the crown on his head. With no male heir, the regal title expired on the death of Henry de Beauchamp in 1446.
http://en.wikipedia...._Piran%27s_Flag
Several French and Breton families also had coats of arms that bear a striking resemblance to the St Piran's flag:
http://en.wikipedia....lag_of_Brittany
The Breton flag is unusual in that it does not have any colors, properties which it shares with the flags of Cornwall, Corsica and the Swiss Canton of Fribourg, among others. In blazons, the flag is Sable, four bars Argent; the canton ermine. Traditionally, coats of arms could be displayed as a rectangular banner, as well as on a shield.
http://en.wikipedia....rand_Union_Flag
The Grand Union Flag (also the Continental Colors, the Congress Flag, the Cambridge Flag, and the First Navy Ensign) is considered to be the first national flag of the United States. This flag consisted of 13 red and white stripes with the British Union Flag of the time (prior to the inclusion of St. Patrick's cross of Ireland) in the canton.
http://www.parowanpr...h_symbols-2.htm
http://en.wikipedia....f_British_flags
http://en.wikipedia....rand_Union_Flag
http://en.wikipedia....e_United_States
http://en.wikipedia....Flag_of_Denmark
Legend states the origin of the Danish flag [was founded on the account of] the Battle of Lyndanisse [Valdemar] near Lyndanisse (Tallinn) in Estonia, on June 15, 1219. The battle was going badly, and defeat seemed imminent. But then, right when the Danes were about to give up, the flag fell from heaven. Grasping the flag before it could ever touch the ground, the king took it in his hand, and proudly waved it in front of his discouraged troops, giving them hope, and leading them to victory.The myth is clear.The flag, Dannebrog, was given to the Danes from God himself, and from that day forward, it was the flag of Denmark, and the Danish kings.
http://www.crwflags....lags/gb-ni.html
The celebrated 'Red Hand' badge of O'Neill was probably grounded on a theme in Gaelic mythology. It may have originally symbolized the pre-Christian Celtic sun-god Nuadu – 'he who dwells in the clouds'. The latter's well-known designation, Argatlámh signified 'silver Hand' and his alias Bolg had a son, (mythologically speaking) named "Lámhdearg-Labraid" (Red Hand). Nuadu and Bolg were appellations of the Érainn or Ivernic, sun-god, the equivalent term in the Gaelic language being Nél.
[Even the Great Khan is mentioned as being signified a Great Leader by his Red Hand]
http://www.biography.com/genghis-khan/
According to the "Secret History of the Mongols" (a contemporary account of Mongol history), Temujin was born with a blood clot in his hand, a sign in Mongol folklore that he was destined to become a leader.
http://en.wikipedia..../Flag_of_Ulster
The open right hand, the Dextera Dei, has also been employed as a Christian symbol. In early Christian iconography God the Father was frequently represented by the open right hand occasionally within a circle or nimbus. An example of this motif can be seen on one of the arms of the 10th century High Cross of Muiredach at Monasterboice. [placed in a star in heraldry often crowned][Probably a distant Raven Sun Symbol association here too]
The story of the Red Hand of Ulster reputedly dates to the arrival of Heremon, Heber and Ir - sons of King Milesius of Spain (Galicia), who were dispatched to conquer Ireland in 504 BC. One of them supposedly cut off his hand and tossed it ashore, that he might be the one to have first claim to the land. In Mythological terms he could have come from a tradition like the Kerr's who swore on their left hand so that they could always avenge there enemies, the mytho term meaning they landed and estabished the right hand line here - or continued tradition or if both mixed?]
http://www.ensignmes...es/redhand.html
There is no symbol more vilified and despised in this United Kingdom than the "Red Hand of Ulster" flag. Indeed, at time of writing, it has come to my attention that this flag is so detested by the Scottish Parliament that to wave or display this flag in public could constitute an offence under their new antisectarianism legislation. This is no accident, for the Red Hand of Ulster is the key to understanding the purpose of God [and its people] ...As the book Erin's Blood Royal* clearly puts forth, many of the Irish people are clearly identified as being descended from the Milesian kings, making them descendants of Judah.
http://www.crwflags....lags/gb-ni.html
An interesting photograph was found at http://imperialflags...lster-flag.html, showing the use of a plain union flag, with a red hand centred, on the offices of the Belfast Telegraph in Fleet Street (London). The original caption stated "Original caption: Ulster flag in London for Empire Day. An Irish newspaper office in fleet street. London, flew the new Ulster flag for the first time recently. The Ulster flag is the Union Jack with red hand in the centre." The date is uncertain, but likely early 20th century, based on the use of the red ensigns as national flags beside this flag. Originally reported by Laird Keir, 24 March 2009. [Link No Longer Displays Info - good catch]
http://en.wikipedia..../Flag_of_Ulster
The Red Hand of Ulster is a symbol derived from the O'Neill dynasty who were historic monarchs of the provincial kingdom, while the gold background featuring a red cross comes from the coat of arms of the Burkes, a Hiberno-Norman noble family.
http://en.wikipedia....i/Flag_of_Wales
The flag incorporates the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr, King of Gwynedd, along with the Tudor colours of green and white. It was used by Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 after which it was carried in state to St Paul's Cathedral. The red dragon was then included in the Tudor royal arms to signify their Welsh descent. The flag was granted official status in 1959, but the red dragon itself has been associated with Wales for centuries, though the origin of the adoption of the dragon symbol is now lost in history and myth. A possible theory is that the Romans brought the emblem to what is now Wales during their occupation of Britain in the form of the Draco standards born by the Roman cavalry, itself inspired by the symbols of the Dacians or Parthians. The oldest known use of the dragon to represent Wales is from the Historia Brittonum written around 830. The red dragon is popularly believed to have been the battle standard of Arthur and other ancient Celtic/Romano-British leaders. It is particularly associated in Welsh poetry with Cadwaladr king of Gwynedd from c.655 to 682.
http://en.wikipedia....atrick%27s_Flag
Some contemporary responses to the badge of the order complained that an X-shaped cross was the Cross of St Andrew, patron of Scotland, although modern vexillology allows only a blue-and-white design to be so called. A February 1783 newspaper complained that "the breasts of Irishmen were to be decorated by the bloody Cross of St Andrew, and not that of the tutelar Saint of their natural isle". Another article claimed that "the Cross of St Andrew the Scotch saint is to honour the Irish order of St Patrick, by being inserted within the star of the order [...] a manifest insult to common sense and to national propriety" The Celtic cross and Brigid's cross are other crosses which have been used as symbols of Ireland.
http://en.wikipedia....ki/Celtic_Cross
In Ireland, it is a popular legend that the Celtic Catholic cross was introduced by Saint Patrick or possibly Saint Declan during his time converting the pagan Irish, though no examples survive from this early period. It has often been claimed that Patrick combined the symbol of Christianity with the sun cross ... Some of these 'Celtic' crosses bear inscriptions in runes ... There are similar crosses in France, that cannot be really considered as Celtic crosses, even if some specialists think they are influenced from the British Isles. Their design is different, but all the French examples are quite analogous in shape to each other. They are found mainly in the western part of France, in Normandy, Britanny and Limousin as far as Auvergne. [solar symbol]
http://en.wikipedia....rigid%27s_cross
Brigid's crosses are associated with Brigid of Kildare, who is venerated as one of the patron saints of Ireland. The crosses are traditionally made on February 1st, which in the Irish language is called St. Brigid's feast day. As was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes both for warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave them into a cross, fastening the points together. The sick man asked what she was doing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked, his delirium quieted and he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving, he converted. Since then, the cross of rushes has existed in Ireland.
http://en.wikipedia....the_Isle_of_Man
The flag of the Isle of Man, or flag of Mann (Manx: brattagh Vannin), is a triskelion, composed of three armoured legs with golden spurs, upon a red background. It has been the official flag of Mann since 1931 and is based on the Manx coat of arms, which dates to the 13th century. The three legs are known in Manx as ny tree cassyn ("the three legs"). The triskelion is an ancient symbol, used by the Mycenaeans and the Lycians.
http://en.wikipedia....i/Isle_of_Wight
The Isle of Wight is first mentioned in writing in Geography by Claudius Ptolemaeus. At the end of the Roman Empire the island of Vectis became a Jutish kingdom ruled by King Stuf and his successors until AD 661 when it was invaded by Wulfhere of Mercia and forcibly converted to Christianity at sword point. When he left for Mercia the islanders reverted to paganism.
In AD 685 it was invaded by Caedwalla of Wessex and can be considered to have become part of Wessex. Following the accession of West Saxon kings as kings of all England, it then became part of England. The island became part of the shire of Hampshire and was divided into hundreds as was the norm. In 686, it became the last part of England to convert to Christianity.
The island suffered especially from Viking predations. Alfred the Great's navy defeated the Danes in 871 after they had "ravaged Devon and the Isle of Wight". The Norman Conquest created the position of Lord of the Isle of Wight. Carisbrooke Priory and the fort of Carisbrooke Castle were founded. The island did not come under full control of the Crown until it was sold by the dying last Norman Lord, Lady Isabella de Fortibus, to Edward I in 1293.
The Lordship thereafter became a royal appointment, with a brief interruption when Henry de Beauchamp, 1st Duke of Warwick was in 1444 crowned King of the Isle of Wight, with King Henry VI assisting in person at the ceremony, placing the crown on his head. With no male heir, the regal title expired on the death of Henry de Beauchamp in 1446.
http://en.wikipedia...._Piran%27s_Flag
Several French and Breton families also had coats of arms that bear a striking resemblance to the St Piran's flag:
http://en.wikipedia....lag_of_Brittany
The Breton flag is unusual in that it does not have any colors, properties which it shares with the flags of Cornwall, Corsica and the Swiss Canton of Fribourg, among others. In blazons, the flag is Sable, four bars Argent; the canton ermine. Traditionally, coats of arms could be displayed as a rectangular banner, as well as on a shield.
http://en.wikipedia....rand_Union_Flag
The Grand Union Flag (also the Continental Colors, the Congress Flag, the Cambridge Flag, and the First Navy Ensign) is considered to be the first national flag of the United States. This flag consisted of 13 red and white stripes with the British Union Flag of the time (prior to the inclusion of St. Patrick's cross of Ireland) in the canton.
http://www.parowanpr...h_symbols-2.htm
http://en.wikipedia....f_British_flags
http://en.wikipedia....rand_Union_Flag
http://en.wikipedia....e_United_States
