“The Historical (and Social) Impact of

Flags and Symbols on Society”

Institute of Irish Studies, Queen’s University Belfast

“The Historical Impact of Flags and Symbols on Society”

3. Flags/symbols identifying a Christian community

- Early Christian Symbols- Later Christian symbols

2. Flags/symbols identifying a family/clan – Old Testament

1. Symbols as an early means of communication - early writing

Jiahu symbols -

Northern China, with radiocarbon dates from the 7th millennium BC

Symbols as an early means of communication - early writing

Numbers 2:1,2 & 34The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: “The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family. . . So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each with his clan and family.”

Flags/symbols as identifying a family/clan – Old Testament

��ַג�ל ָּדWhatever these banners or standards looked like they identified the clans/families of the people of Israel. Banners/standards were used as clan or family markers.

Early Christian Symbols

Flags/symbols as identifying a Christian community

Huguenot Cross

Flags/symbols identifying a Reformed Christian community

The Covenanter’s Banner (Blue Banner)

Flags/symbols identifying a Reformed Christian community

Flags/symbols identifying a Reformed Christian community

Flags / Banners / Symbols both communicate a message and identify a

group

They also have the tendency to be , EVOCATIVE as well as PROVOCATIVE.

They EVOKE feelings of sympathy/warmth/affection/affiliation in and

among one group of people as they PROVOKE feelings of

anxiety/hatred/opposition among another group of people.

Flags & Symbols in the Irish / Nationalist Tradition

Flags & Symbols in the British / Unionist Tradition

Orange Colour Flag as a Symbol

Notable Orange Symbols - Banners

Banners - They Mark Events

Banners - They Mark Events

Banners - They Mark Events

Banners - They Mark Events

Thomas Morrison

perished on the

Titanic 15th April

1912

Banners - They Mark Events

Banners - Sociological History

Banners - Sociological History

Banners Reflect Trades

Baker’s LOL 245United Artizan’s Temp. Star LOL 386

Belfast Docker’s Temperance LOL 1117Press LOL 1211

Shipwright’s LOL 1593Power Station LOL 1870

Belfast Harbour LOL 1883Artizan’s LOL 1904

Banners - Church connections

Banners - Church connections

Now ‘Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich’ - named in honour of Robert McAdam a Presbyterian pioneer of the revival of Irish language in 19th century Belfast, and Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich, an Irish language enthusiast.

Banners - Church connections

Flags / symbols of the early twentieth century

Flags/Symbols of the early twentieth century Lapel & and Cap Badge of the U.

V. F.

LAPEL BADGE CAP BADGE

Original U.V.F. (1913) – King’s Colours

Flags/Symbols of the early twentieth century

Original U.V.F. (1913) – King’s Colours

Flags/Symbols of early twentieth century

Original U.V.F. (1913) – King’s Colours

Flags/Symbols of the early twentieth century

Original U.V.F. (1913) – Regimental Colours

Flags/Symbols of the early twentieth century

Original U.V.F. (1913) – Regimental Colours

Flags/Symbols of the early twentieth century

Flags/Symbols of the early twentieth century Original U.V.F. (1913) –

Regimental Colours

Flag of the Government of Northern Ireland

The Ulster Banner

Flag of the Province of Ulster

Flag of the Province of Ulster

Significant differences

Flag of the NorthernIreland Parliament

Flags/symbols of the conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

“The People’s Paper”

“Loyalist community magazine”

“The Magazine of the Ulster

Volunteer Force”

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

U.V.F. Centenary Parade 20 April 2013

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

U.V.F. Centenary Parade 20 April 2013

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Centenary Parade 9 May2015

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Centenary Parade 9 May2015

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Centenary Parade 9 May2015

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

A modern ‘Tribute Flag’

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The ConflictUlster Independence Movement

Flags/Symbols Of The ConflictDrumcree

Flags/Symbols Of The ConflictUlster Scots

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The Conflict

Flags/Symbols Of The ConflictCompare and contrast

“U.V.F.” Flag without 1912

Central Antrim Regiment2nd (Larne) Battalion U.V.F

Flags/Symbols Of The ConflictCompare and contrast

“U.V.F.” Flag with 1912 & Cap Badge Logo

Central Antrim Regiment2nd (Larne) Battalion U.V.F

Flags/Symbols Of The ConflictCompare and contrast

“U.V.F. Battle Honours Flag”

Central Antrim Regiment2nd (Larne) Battalion U.V.F

WHAT CONSTITUTES AN AUTHENTIC REPLICA OF THE ULSTER VOLUNTEER FORCE

COLOURS 1913-1914(King’s Colours or Regimental

Colours)?They must meet all of the following three criteria:

1. They must have the Union Flag in the upper canton.

2. They must NOT have the ‘For God and Ulster’ Badge Logo.

3. They must NOT have Battle Honours.