Starry Plough (flag) facts for kids
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| Names | The Starry Plough, Plough and Stars flag |
|---|---|
| Use | Other  |
| Adopted | 1914 |
| Design | A yellow plough with a sword for a coulter outlined in black with seven silver stars outlined in black. |
| Designed by | William H. Megahy or George William Russell |
The Starry Plough flag (called An Camchéachta in Irish, meaning "the bent plough") is a famous symbol from Ireland. It was first used by the Irish Citizen Army, a group that believed in a fairer society and an independent Ireland. Over time, many other Irish groups have also used this flag.
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What Does the Flag Show?
The first Starry Plough flag was designed by William H. Megahy. It had silver stars on a green background. The flag shows a group of stars known as The Plough. This group of stars is part of a larger constellation called Ursa Major. In North America, people often call it the Big Dipper.
The Meaning Behind the Stars and Plough
Two of the seven stars in The Plough point to the North Star. James Connolly, who helped start the Irish Citizen Army, explained the flag's meaning. He said it showed that a free Ireland would control its own future, "from the plough to the stars." This meant that ordinary working people would have power and shape their own destiny.
The flag also includes a sword that looks like a part of a plough. This idea comes from an old bible verse. It talks about turning weapons into tools for peace. This mix of old traditions and ideas about working people's rights makes the Starry Plough flag very meaningful to many.
History of the Starry Plough Flag
The original Starry Plough flag was first shown on April 5, 1914. It became famous when the Irish Citizen Army flew it over the Imperial Hotel in Dublin. This happened during the 1916 Easter Rising, a very important event in Irish history. Today, you can see the 1916 flag at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.
Changes to the Flag's Design
In the 1930s, the flag's design changed. It became a blue flag and was used by the Irish Labour movement, including the Labour Party. The Labour Party later changed its main symbol in 1991. However, they still used the Starry Plough for special events. In 2021, the Labour Party decided to use the Starry Plough as their main symbol again. This time, it has white stars on a red background.
Who Uses the Flag Today?
The Starry Plough flag is still used by many groups in Ireland. It is often seen alongside other Irish flags at gatherings and events. Groups like Saoradh, Éirígí, the Connolly Youth Movement, and the Communist Party of Ireland use it. It is also used by the Irish Republican Socialist Party, Sinn Féin, and the Workers' Party.
The Starry Plough flag looks a bit like the Flag of Alaska in the United States. However, the Starry Plough flag was created more than ten years earlier.
See Also
- The Plough and the Stars, a play by Seán O'Casey (1926)
- Flag of Alaska (a flag with a similar design)
- Plough flag (another flag with a similar design)
