About Ireland : a few symbols

LOYALIST SYMBOLS

The Shamrock : used by St Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, to illustrate the Holy Trinity, is one of Ireland's national emblems. It is used by both Nationalists and Unionists in Ulster and in the Republic of Ireland.

The YCV (Young Citizens Volunteers) : it is the youth section of the UVF. Initially a youth group akin to the Scouts, it became the youth wing of the UVF in the 1910s.

The coat of arms and flags :

• The Ulster Banner : a red cross with a red hand and a six pointed star. It is also referred to as the « Red Hand Flag » or the « Ulster Flag ».

• The Saint George's Cross : red on a white field. It is the national English flag. Saint George is the Saint of England. It is the basis of a number of flags used in Northern Ireland.

• The Saint Andrew's Cross : white on a blue field. It is the national flag of Scotland. It is also found on Loyalist murals to suggest the link between Ulster Protestants and Scots.

• The Union Jack : the British flag. It is the official flag of Northern Ireland. It is made up of the Saint George's Cross, the Saint Patrick's Cross-shaped red cross and the Saint Andrew's Cross. The design was meant to reflect the 1801 Act of Union between Britain and Ireland.