Red hand of Ulster

The Red Hand of Ulster (Irish: Lámh Dhearg Uladh) is an Irish symbol used in heraldry to denote the Irish province of Ulster. It is an open hand coloured red, with the fingers pointing upwards, the thumb held parallel to the fingers, and the palm facing forward. It is usually shown as a right hand, but is sometimes a left hand, such as in the coats of arms of baronets. The symbol is rooted in Irish Gaelic culture and its origins are attributed to the mythical Irish figure Labraid Lámh Dhearg (Red Hand Labraid), of the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology.

It was originally a symbol belonging to the Ulaid before being adopted into the flag of the Norman Earldom of Ulster. After the collapse of the Earldom in the mid-14th century and the subsequent conquest of its lands by the Clandeboye O'Neills, the Red Hand symbol along with the title of "king of Ulster" was adopted by the O'Neills, and has since become known as the Red Hand of O'Neill. More recently, it has also been used as an Ulster loyalist symbol.

The exclusive right to the use of the Red Hand symbol was still a matter of dispute in the 16th century, with a poem indicating disagreement between the "Síol Rúraí" (the Clanna Rudraige of Ulaid) and the northern descendants of Niall Naoighiallach (the O'Neills).

The original meaning of the Red Hand is unclear. The Red Hand has roots as an Irish Gaelic symbol and is believed to date back to pagan times. It was associated with a mythical figure called Labraid Lámderg, or Labhraidh Lámh Dhearg (Labraid of the Red Hand), who appears in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. Labraid is said to be the son of the god Nuada. In Irish mythology, Nuada had his hand cut off in battle, forcing him to give up his position as king of the gods. However, it is replaced with a silver hand, which then transforms into a real hand, thus allowing him to re-take his throne. Alternatively, or perhaps later, the Red Hand came to symbolize the "Hand of God" in Christianity. An example of this motif can be seen on the 10th century Muiredach's High Cross at Monasterboice, County Louth. Another suggestion is that the Red Hand was associated with sovereignty and represented the derbfine. Gaelic chieftains and kings were elected from among a group of men (the derbfine) who shared the same great-grandfather. The palm may represent the great-grandfather with the three jointed divisions of the fingers representing his sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons.

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