Son redhand mac#

The arms of the chiefs of the Scottish Clan MacNeil (of Barra) contain the Red Hand the clan has traditionally claimed descent from Niall of the Nine Hostages. On the Ó Néill coat of arms featuring the Red Hand, the motto is Lámh Dhearg Éireann (Red Hand of Ireland).

Son redhand mac#

The war cry Lámh Dhearg Abú! (Red Hand to victory!) was also associated with the Uí Néill.Ĭoats of arms used by those whose surnames are of Uí Néill descent – Ó Donnghaile, Ó Cathain, Mac Aodha, Ó Dálaigh, Ó Máeilsheáchlainn and Ó Catharnaigh, to name just a few – all feature the Red Hand in some form, recalling their common descent. The Red Hand symbol is believed to have been used by the Uí Néill clan during its Nine Years’ War (1594–1603) against the spread of English control. One had his hand cut off by the other, and a red imprint of the hand was left on the rocks. Another variation of this story concludes that it was none other than Niall of the Nine Hostages who severed his own hand in order to win his crown from his brother.Ī different myth tells of two giants who engaged in battle. According to some versions of the story, the king who cut off his hand belonged to the Uí Néill clan, which apparently explains its association with them. The hand is most likely red to represent the fact that it would have been covered in blood. One potential king so desired the kingship that, upon seeing that he was losing the race, he cut off his hand and threw it to the shore-thus winning the kingship. Because of this it was agreed that a boat race should take place and that “whosoever’s hand is the first to touch the shore of Ireland, so shall he be made the king”. It is generally accepted that this Irish Gaelic symbol originated in pagan times and was first associated with the mythical figure Labraid Lámh Dhearg or Labraid Lámderg (Labraid of the Red Hand) of the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology.Īccording to one myth, the kingdom of Ulster had at one time no rightful heir. It must also be noted that the left hand version of the symbol has been used by the Irish National Foresters, the Irish republican Irish Citizen Army and the Federated Workers Union of Ireland. Baronets of Nova Scotia, unlike other baronets, do not use the Red Hand of Ulster, but have their own badge showing the Saltire of St Andrew. Such baronets may also display the Red Hand of Ulster on its own as a badge, suspended by a ribbon below the shield of arms. “for the plantation and protection of the whole Kingdom of Ireland, but more especially for the defence and security of the Province of Ulster, and therefore for their distinction those of this order and their descendants may bear (the Red Hand of Ulster) in their coats of arms either in a canton or an escutcheon at their election” King James I of England established the hereditary Order of Baronets in England on, in the words of Collins (1741): The form used on a canton or escutcheon within the coat of arms of a baronet of England, Ireland, Great Britain or the United Kingdom, is blazoned as follows: A hand sinister couped at the wrist extended in pale gules. The form in common use in Ulster today is an open right hand coloured red, with the fingers pointing upwards, the thumb held parallel to the fingers, and the palm facing forward. The symbol is rooted in Irish Gaelic culture and is particularly associated with the Uí Néill clan of Ulster Dexter hand Its origins are said to be attributed to the mythical Irish figure Labraid Lámh Dhearg of the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology (Red Hand Labraid), and appear in other mythical tales passed down from generation to generation in the oral tradition. It is less commonly known as the Red Hand of O’Neill. It is an open hand coloured red, with the fingers pointing upwards, the thumb held parallel to the fingers, and the palm facing forward. It is shown in two forms, as a dexter (right) hand (used as a symbol in Ulster) and a hand baring a blue or red sinister looking cross (used in the coats of arms of baronets). The Red Hand of Ulster ( Irish: Lámh Dhearg Uladh) is an Irish Gaelic symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster.