The CAIN Project would welcome other material which meets our guidelines for contributors . You may not edit, adapt, or redistribute changed versions of this for other than your personal use without the express written permission of the author. Redistribution for commercial purposes is not permitted. An Introduction to the Use of Symbols in Northern Ireland Introduction Visitors to Northern Ireland are often struck by the colourful range of symbols which are most apparent in working-class Protestant and Catholic communities. These symbols can be found in various different forms, such as part of murals painted on gable walls, as flags flying from lampposts, or as basic colours painted on kerbstones.
Symbols can represent either an ideology, religion or culture, and some represent all three.
The precise meaning of some symbolism in Northern Ireland may often be ambiguous, especially from an external perspective, and onlookers may be somewhat perplexed at the use or indeed the significance of some particular symbols. Symbols have played a central role during 'the Troubles' and continue to represent the very essence of the conflicting identities within Northern Ireland. The use of symbols can also be indicative of sections of the community within the the region given that a specific display usually coincides with the general sentiment of the population of particular areas. The symbols in the linked pages below were selected as a sample of the more important and widely used emblems in Northern Ireland. It is hoped that these pages will help promote a greater understanding of the significant role which symbolism plays in the conflict.