sunburst flag

{{Short description|Early Flag Associated With Irish Nationalism}}

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| image1 = Green Sunburst Flag.svg

| image2 = Sunburst and Starry Plough flag.png

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| caption1 = Traditional variation of the sunburst flag{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7hPxDQAAQBAJ&q=%22sunburst+flag%22&pg=PA223|title=Newspapers and Newsmakers: The Dublin Nationalist Press in the Mid-Nineteenth Century|first=Ann|last=Andrews|date=April 1, 2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9781781387450|via=Google Books}}

| caption2 = A version of the Sunburst flag which incorporates the Starry Plough flag as well as a Pike, associated with the United Irishmen. The flag may have been used by the 26th Battalion of the National Army.{{cite web |url=https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000509457 |title=

Signal fires : 26th battalion Easter Week 1943 / |last= |first= |date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=29 November 2021 |quote=}}

| caption3 = A modern variation of the sunburst flag

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The sunburst flag ({{langx|ga|An Gal Gréine}}) is an Irish flag associated with early Irish nationalism, and more recently, youth wings of Irish republican groups such as Na Fianna Éireann.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J6s6DwAAQBAJ&q=%22sunburst+flag%22&pg=PT464|title=A History of Women in 100 Objects|first1=Maggie|last1=Andrews|first2=Janis|last2=Lomas|date=February 23, 2018|publisher=History Press|isbn=9780750987196|via=Google Books}} The flag is first thought to have been used in 1858 by the Irish Republican Brotherhood. The sunburst flag is still used today, by both republican groups and the Irish language and Gaelic revival organization Conradh na Gaeilge.{{Cite web|url=https://fotw.info/flags/ie-sun.html|title=Ireland: Sunburst|website=fotw.info}}

History and origins of the flag

The sunburst flag's design is inspired by the Fianna of Irish mythology. Described as brave warriors who performed a large number of impressive feats, the Fianna referred to themselves as either Gal Gréine or Scal Ghréine, which both mean sunburst.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqLzhoj8c6IC&q=%22sunburst%22+fianna&pg=PA123|title=Revisiting Robert Tressell's Mugsborough|publisher=Cambria Press|isbn=9781621968344|via=Google Books}}

The earliest confirmed use of the sunburst flag is found in the 18th century as the guidon of the County Sligo Light Horse. The motto was as Post nubila Phoebus ("After the clouds Sun") symbolizing a new day.{{Cite web|url=http://sources.nli.ie/Record/PS_UR_025035|title=Guidon of the Co. Sligo Light Horse, (the property of Mr. Donal F. O'Hara).|date=August 15, 1956|website=sources.nli.ie}}

The sunburst flag, and the symbol of the sunburst itself came into more common use by Irish nationalists during the 19th century. In 1858, the Irish Republican Brotherhood adopted the flag as their symbol. During the American Civil War, the sunburst motif was incorporated by several Irish regiments in their standards. In 1893 the Irish-language group called Conradh na Gaeilge established themselves, using the flag as the group's symbol in reference to the Fianna.{{Cite web|url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-sun.html|title=Ireland: Sunburst|website=www.crwflags.com}}

During January of 1861 a group of French Zouaves were visiting Cork and they were given a banner by the local Nationalists. On the banner was a representation of the sunburst flag between the Stars and Stripes and French tricolor.Daily California Express, 26 January 1861

File:Flag of the Communist Party of Ireland.svg]]

The Communist Party of Ireland and dissident republican groups Republican Network for Unity and Saoradh have incorporated it into their emblems.

References

Category:Flags of Ireland

Category:Irish Republican Brotherhood

Category:Flags displaying a sun

sunburst flag

History and origins of the flag

See also

References