Calling All Irish. I need Christmas ideas.

[Mischka]

What are traditional Irish patterns for Christmas? I've cross stitched loads of Swedish patterns, and I'd like to incorporate at least a few Irish themes in honor of Mr. Mischka's heritage. So far I've only found pictures of Irish setters, Irish blessings/sayings, and Celtic crosses. What images evoke an Irish Christmas (besides the obvious Christian images - I'm looking for an Irish spin on the holiday)?

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[Angel]

I just asked my mom when I read this. I got dead silence on the phone. I would like to know too.

 

[Mellon Collie]

I always thought that with the absorption of Catholicism in Ireland all their traditions were converted so just about all of them are Irish, besides Santa and such which I believe are German Pagan. I do know the Irish used alot of candles and holly.

 

[Mischka]

I can see it now - I'll cross stitch images of pints of Guinness and four leaf clovers, and hang them on a tree decorated with strings of Lucky Charms.

Thanks anyway, guys. Guess Christmas will be a tad lopsided in favor of my heritage...

 

[Problem Child]

Potato and Whiskey motif?

Molotov cocktail & pipe bomb theme?

Me daddy's a cop & me uncle's a fireman sort of vibe?

 

[pabloback]

irish christmas is mainly religious ,
you could always have leprachauns in xmas poses ,
[irish leprachauns with pointy hats and gnome like features]

 

[Mischka]

Potato and Whiskey motif?

Molotov cocktail & pipe bomb theme?

Me daddy's a cop & me uncle's a fireman sort of vibe?

Another fabulous idea! I'll add little badges and firemen's hats to the tree, and place potatoes tied with festive bows around the base. Talk about classy.

And Mellon Collie and Pablo, thank you for the "real" ideas. Swedes incorporate images of holly, candles, and elves (kinda similar to leprechauns) into their decorations, so I've got those elements covered.

 

[celiaKitten]

Seriously ..

A shamrock is the perfect symbol .. (Irish Girl here - I even clog for god's sake .. )
The three leaves stand for the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Another could be an Irish Drum, fife ... look into the Irish Tradition of music ..

 

[loki]

Potato and Whiskey motif?

Molotov cocktail & pipe bomb theme?

Me daddy's a cop & me uncle's a fireman sort of vibe?

I see, sterotype a Jew and your antisemitic,
stereotype an african-american and your a racist

but stereotype my grandfather and your a funny guy.

fuck you

 

[Thomas Paine]

I was in Ireland a few weeks before Christmas a couple of years ago and a lot of the Christmas-y stuff I saw just adapted the standard motifs, like Celtic knots. Wouldn't they be cross-stitchable?

 

[LRC]

The Claddagh symbol and Celtic Knots

would be easy to cross stitch.

Claddagh is the symbol of love, loyalty and friendship. A heart topped by a crown, held by 2 hands.



For celtic Knots here
http://www.wallace.net/knots/howto/

 

[Problem Child]

I see, sterotype a Jew and your antisemitic,
stereotype an african-american and your a racist

but stereotype my grandfather and your a funny guy.

fuck you

My half-Irish side thought it was funny. Blow me.

 

[loki]

My half-Irish side thought it was funny. Blow me.

Maybe you don't read newsppaper but about a month ago someone tried to bomb a catholic girls school in Northern Ireland.

Sorry but I don't find bombs very funny.

 

[Problem Child]

Are you saying the sterotype is correct?

 

[TygerEyez]

I know some Pagan things, hon, but if you really want some good information go to www.christmas.com

Click on Worldview along the upper task bar. It opens to a page. Click on Europe, then click on Ireland. There are alot of articles there. Hope I helped!

 

[Mischka]

PC & loki

OK, you two, this is a thread about Christmas, damnit, so let's try to keep it happy. Please?

And I found out a really cool story about the Irish and Christmas. Mellon Collie was right on with the candles and holly. A single candle is lit on Christmas Eve and placed in the window to to serve as a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph who sought shelter in vain on that first Christmas Eve. Holly grows wild in the south, and is used in abundance to decorate at Christmas time.

But the coolest part is that The Twelve Days of Christmas stem from persecution of Catholics in Ireland and England. OK, the persecution part is not cool, but I did not know the origin of the song before. So here is the story:

"During the centuries when it was a crime to be Catholic and to practice one's faith, in public or private, in Ireland and England "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as a "catechism song" to help young Catholics learn the beliefs of their faith. It was a memory aid-when being caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged.

"The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person." The symbolism behind the twelve verses:

A partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ, the son of God.

Two turtle doves = The Old and New Testaments.

Three french hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the theological virtues.

Four calling birds = The four Gospels and/or the four Evangelists.

Five golden rings = The first five books of the Old Testament (The Pentateuch).

Six geese a-laying = Six days of creation.

Seven swans a swimming = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven Sacraments

Eight maids a-milking = The eight Beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing = The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit (sometimes also listed as the nine classifications of angels).

Ten lords a-leaping = The Ten Commandments.

Eleven pipers pipering = The eleven faithful apostles.

Twelve drummers drumming = The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.

I already have pewter ornaments for the 12 Days, so it looks like I'm on my way to an Irish Christmas.

 

[loki]

pipe bombs and molotov cocktails

Are you saying the sterotype is correct?

My grandparents where from the southwest part of county Galway, about as far away from the troubles as you can be, but more importantly would have been more likely to cut off their own hand then try and kill and terrorize little children with pipe bombs.
I like think most God faring Irish would feel the same. But with one line you have associated them all to a small handful of maniacs bent on murder and terror.
I would also like to think this wasn't your intent and I'm sorry if I overreacted but it aggrevates me to no end to see millions of good people stained by the actions of a few lunatics.

 

[Problem Child]

Oh for God's sake give it a fucking rest.

It was in bad taste, yes. I apologize. I do not wish to see little girls blown up. I think what goes on over there is a tragedy. I wish all people could live in peace. I think the the Irish, of which I am a descendant are beautiful people.

Now shut up already.

 

[loki]

sorry Mischka, didn't mean to bring down what should be a happy thread. Maybe I should stop reading the newspaper, just to much bad news.

 

[Cheyenne]

Re: PC & loki

"During the centuries when it was a crime to be Catholic and to practice one's faith, in public or private, in Ireland and England "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as a "catechism song" to help young Catholics learn the beliefs of their faith. It was a memory aid-when being caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged.

"The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person." The symbolism behind the twelve verses:

A partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ, the son of God.

Two turtle doves = The Old and New Testaments.

Three french hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the theological virtues.

Four calling birds = The four Gospels and/or the four Evangelists.

Five golden rings = The first five books of the Old Testament (The Pentateuch).

Six geese a-laying = Six days of creation.

Seven swans a swimming = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven Sacraments

Eight maids a-milking = The eight Beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing = The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit (sometimes also listed as the nine classifications of angels).

Ten lords a-leaping = The Ten Commandments.

Eleven pipers pipering = The eleven faithful apostles.

Twelve drummers drumming = The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.

I already have pewter ornaments for the 12 Days, so it looks like I'm on my way to an Irish Christmas.

Really? I didn't know that either. Maybe a little closer to Christmas you could start a new thread with this tidbit? It might be fun to find out the stories behind some of the ethnic traditions for the holiday.

 

[MishkarinaSkye]

http://members.tripod.com/~pg4anna/xmas.htm

http://www.ireland-information.com/articles/irishchristmastraditions.htm


I'm 100% Macedonian and we are Orthodox but my husband is of Irish/Scottish descent so here are the things I have found online in regards to Irish Christmas Ideas..