Tricolour - The National Flag of Ireland

I'm embarrassed to admit that I never knew the meaning and lasting relevance of the Irish flag. I've held it high on many a St. Paddy's Day without even knowing what the three colors represented.

In case there are any others of you like me out there let me take this opportunity to share my newfound knowledge as well as my floral tribute to this piece of Irish hope and pride.



Its three equal stripes illustrate the Irish political landscape, as accurately today as in 1848, the year the flag was first unfurled.

• orange " standing for Irish Protestants
• green " signifying Irish Catholics and the republican cause
• white " representing the hope for peace between them