Sunburst flag

File:Fianna2.gif

The sunburst flag

The sunburst flag is a flag associated with Irish nationalism, and more modernly, youth wings of Irish republican groups such as Na Fianna Éireann. The flag is first thought to have been used in 1858 by the Irish Republican Brotherhood. The sunburst flag is still used to this day, by both republican and Irish language groups.

History and origins of the flag

The sunburst flag originated from Irish mythology. In ancient Irish myth and legend, there exists a group known as the Fianna (English: Warriors). They are written as being brave warriors, who performed a large number of impressive feats. The Fianna, in stories written of them, were named either the Gal Gréine or Scal Ghréine which both translate to sunburst.

The sunburst flag, and the symbol of the sunburst itself became popular in Irish nationalism in the nineteenth century. In 1858, the Irish Republican Brotherhood adopted the flag as their symbol. In 1893 the Irish-language group called Conradh na Gaeilge established themselves, using the flag as the groups symbol obviously making reference to the Fianna.