Monday, October 24, 2005
Our Manx Flag
Chris Rice asked me earlier today to e-mail him with a brief history of the Manx Flag....... and I suddenly realised I didn't actually know the story at all (I can name every episode of Will and Grace but know nothing about the National Flag - my generation is just priceless)
So here it is, a brief run-down of the three legs of Mann....
Why the three leg (Trie Cassyn) symbol was adopted by the Isle of Man is unknown, but its existence can be traced as far back as the thirteenth century. It was first used as the coat of armours or armorial bearings by island kings from Norway.
By the fourteenth century the symbol was to be found on the Manx Sword of State and by the Seventeenth century it was to be seen on the coinage of the Isle of Man. A red flag with a 'trinacria' emblem in the centre.
The three leg (Trie Cassyn) symbol has many potential origins. It symbolises the Sun, a seat of power and life. The symbol is closely related to the Sicilian legs (naked legs with the head of Medusa in the centre) representing the island of Sicily.
Also there is the Norse connection where the three legs (Trie Cassyn) symbol can be found on tenth century Norse coins.
And now back to pictures of trees.
So here it is, a brief run-down of the three legs of Mann....
Why the three leg (Trie Cassyn) symbol was adopted by the Isle of Man is unknown, but its existence can be traced as far back as the thirteenth century. It was first used as the coat of armours or armorial bearings by island kings from Norway.
By the fourteenth century the symbol was to be found on the Manx Sword of State and by the Seventeenth century it was to be seen on the coinage of the Isle of Man. A red flag with a 'trinacria' emblem in the centre.
The three leg (Trie Cassyn) symbol has many potential origins. It symbolises the Sun, a seat of power and life. The symbol is closely related to the Sicilian legs (naked legs with the head of Medusa in the centre) representing the island of Sicily.
Also there is the Norse connection where the three legs (Trie Cassyn) symbol can be found on tenth century Norse coins.
And now back to pictures of trees.
# posted by IrishEmma @ 13:57 
Comments:
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hi emma!
i'm sure you are right about the flag proper, but if the symbol itself is in question, here's more info for Chris.
according to the book Manx Fairy Tales (Sophia Morrison, 1929) the three legs of man came from the great and powerful wizard, Manannan Mac Y Leirr, who used to cloak the isle in fog to keep it a secret from marauders. one day, ships of enemies approached in peel harbot and having little time, Manannon turned himself into a shaped of three legs, and rolled like a wheel to the sea. The legs must have looked like an army of men. Once at the shore, he changed leaves into war ships and launched them towards the enemy, who sailed away in terror.
love ya bunches!
Cathy
Teaching Goddess.
i'm sure you are right about the flag proper, but if the symbol itself is in question, here's more info for Chris.
according to the book Manx Fairy Tales (Sophia Morrison, 1929) the three legs of man came from the great and powerful wizard, Manannan Mac Y Leirr, who used to cloak the isle in fog to keep it a secret from marauders. one day, ships of enemies approached in peel harbot and having little time, Manannon turned himself into a shaped of three legs, and rolled like a wheel to the sea. The legs must have looked like an army of men. Once at the shore, he changed leaves into war ships and launched them towards the enemy, who sailed away in terror.
love ya bunches!
Cathy
Teaching Goddess.
# posted by 
: 6:45 pm, October 24, 2005
: 6:45 pm, October 24, 2005
ofcourse there is the other explanation that every Manx man in every bar on the Island on a Saturday night will try and convince you of..... 'ARLIGHT GELL, wanna know if the myth about the three legs of Mann is true.>...???'
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# posted by : 4:23 pm, October 25, 2005
: 4:23 pm, October 25, 2005 << Home
