IRISH SYMBOLS                                                                                             The Irish are world renowned for their artful style and their happy, uplifting, attitude about life:   BLARNEY STONE: It is believed that those who kiss the stone will receive the “gift of the gab” - or the gift of eloquence. CLADDAGH RING: The Claddagh is a visual portrayal of the eternal bond of friendship, loyalty, and love.   FOUR LEAF CLOVER: The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old. The regular three-leaf clover is universally known as the Shamrock. HARP: Based on the ancient lyre, the Irish harp is one of the world's oldest instruments. The ancient Irish kings employed harpist to entertain them. At one sad point in Irish history conquering invaders made it illegal to posses an Irish harp and set out to burn every harp in Ireland in an attempt to kill the "Irish spirit". Greatly honored, the harp is the national emblem of Ireland. POT OF GOLD: Everyone is always looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Trouble is, the rainbow doesn't have an end! SHAMROCK: Three signified totality: past, present and future / behind, before and here / sky, earth and underworld. Three is Ireland's magic number. Hence the Shamrock. In reality, a "white clover" but in the mind, a lucky Irish good luck charm...

I am the wind that breathes upon the sea,
I am the wave on the ocean,
I am the murmur of leaves rustling,
I am the rays of the sun,
I am the beam of the moon and stars,
I am the power of trees growing'
I am the bud breaking into blossom,
I am the movement of salmon swimming,
I am the courage of the wild board fighting,
I am the speed of the stag running,
I am the strength of the ox pulling the plow,
I am the size of the mighty oak tree'
And I am the thoughts of all people
Who praise my beauty and grace.

Celtic Prayer