Easter Lily Enamel Pin Badge - Irish Republican Rising

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In the early years of their existence, people from a broad political spectrum - from Fianna Fáil to Sinn Féin - wore lilies, which were sold by members of those political parties as well as the IRA, Fianna Éireann, and Conrad na Gaeilge. Superior force might raze every stone of the building to the ground, superior force might wipe out every living defender of that standard, but no force on earth would prevent the flag from flying victoriously over a free, united Ireland.

The Easter Lily is an emblem of unity between the different traditions within the Irish nation as well as the heroism of those who sacrificed their lives in 1916. The Lily symbolises the possibility of unity, equality and prosperity for all the people of Ireland.

Diwali 

The Lily has long been associated with the 1916 Rising and the first badges were designed in 1925 by the republican women’s organisation, Cumann na mBan. The dual purpose of the original badge was to raise money for the Republican Prisoners’ Dependents Fund and to honour the sacrifice made by the men and women of the 1916 Rising.

The Easter Lily was introduced in 1926 by Cumann na mBan. Proceeds from the sale of the badge went to the Irish Republican Prisoners' Dependants Fund. Traditionally, they were sold outside church gates on Easter Sunday and worn at republican commemorations. In the early years of their existence, people from a broad political spectrum – from Fianna Fáil to Sinn Féin – wore lilies, which were sold by members of those political parties as well as the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Fianna Éireann, and Conradh na Gaeilge. [1] Fianna Fáil alternatives (1930s) [ edit ] Since the 1930s, successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments attempted to suppress sales of the Easter Lily. Over the decades many republicans have been harassed, arrested and jailed for keeping alive the memory of the men and women of the Easter Rising through promotion of the Easter Lily. Cumann na mBan continue the sale of the Easter Lily from their headquarters on 223 Parnell Street, Dublin. [ citation needed] In popular culture [ edit ] No Irishman worthy of the name dare accept less than the fundamental claims laid down in the Proclamation. In February 1935, the Fianna Fáil leadership instructed the party to stop selling the Lily as it was “the symbol of an organisation of whose methods we disapprove”. For its Easter commemorations that same year, Fianna Fáil introduced a new symbol called the ‘Easter Torch’. This was sold for a number of years but was discontinued as the badge proved unpopular with the party grassroots, many of whom continued to wear the Easter Lily.In February 1935, the Fianna Fáil leadership instructed the party to stop selling the Lily as it was “the symbol of an organisation of whose methods we disapprove”. For its Easter commemmorations that same year, Fianna Fáil introduced a new symbol called the ‘Easter Torch’. This was sold for a number of years but was discontinued as the badge proved unpopular with the party grassroots, many of whom continued to wear the Easter Lily. The original Easter Lily badge was hand-made by republicans, who sold it often at great risk throughout the country. The fleur-de-lis, a stylised depiction of a lily, became the official emblem of Florence in the eleventh century. In Italian cities, as in much of medieval Europe, the new year used to be celebrated on March 25, the feast day of the Annunciation, nine months before Christmas. Also known as “Lady Day,” unlike Easter, it was fixed in the calendar. In Britain, the new year began on March 25 until 1752, when our calendar changed from the Julian to the Gregorian and the dates were adjusted so that the new new year started on April 5, which became an important feast day for accountants and tax lawyers.

Simultaneously with the hoisting of the flag a proclamation, stating their aims and objects, signed by Padraig Pearse, James Connolly, Tom Clarke and the four other members of the Provisional Government, was issued from the GPO. For this simple statement of our fundamental and inalienable rights, the signatories paid the supreme penalty. But their work was done. They had laid down the goal at which all future patriots would aim. It has recently (1933) been suggested that a monument fitting to the memory of the Men of Easter Week should be erected on the GPO. The greatest, nay, the only, monument worthy to commemorate their sacrifice is the realisation of their aims and objects - the enthronement of the Irish republic. Martin Ferris TD and Senator Pearse Doherty recently wrote to all TDs and senators, encouraging them to wear the Lily this Easter. Ann Murray, Gerry Kelly, Liam Shannon and Annie Cahill promoting the Easter Lily in Belfast last weekSINN FÉIN has made a major effort this year to promote the wearing of the Easter Lily to celebrate the memory of the 1916 Easter rising and to further popularise the cause of Irish unity. Last week the party’s four TDs and Senator Pearse Doherty launched a country-wide Easter Lily campaign. Over the Easter period, Sinn Féin activists are distributing more than 100,000 leaflets, while Easter commemorations will take place across the country.

Hanukkah 

In the 1990s, metal versions of the Lily became popular and are worn by some at any time of the year. Their sales and usage has increased with the rise in electoral support of Sinn Féin. Seventeen long years have passed (since 1916) during which the flower of Ireland’s manhood have given their lives in defence of that Proclamation. The Proclamation is still merely a historical document, its principles ignored, its aims unachieved. Michael Collins, leader of the IRA, then signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The treaty allowed Ireland status as a free state, but as a dominion of the British Empire. This was unacceptable to some members of the IRA and the organisation split. The anti-treaty began fighting with their former comrades, the pro-treaty. This led to the Irish Civil War, during which Michael Collins was assassinated. The Easter Lily is sold to remember the people who have lost their lives fighting for their country, and what they believed to be right. Its colouration of green, white and orange perfectly mirror the tricolour, the Republic of Ireland flag. It originated in 1925, created by members of Cumann na mBan, which was an all-female organisation in support of the Irish Republican Army.

The Easter Lily was sold in front of churches on Sundays in the period before Easter, as a way of raising money to help support the families of the men that had died in Ireland’s fight for independence. It would then be worn as a mark of respect for those who had lost their lives, and also as a sign of hope and peace for the future.

Easter 

The Easter Lily, with its colours of green, white and orange is a symbol long associated with the Easter Rising of 1916 and one with a long and fascinating history. The green represents the ancient Celtic people, and the orange represents the Protestant settlers. With the white in between symbolises the peace and respect between the two. Issued from the Publicity Department, Easter Lily Committee, Cumann na mBan, 12, St. Andrew Street, Dublin. Having organised and trained her manhood through her secret revolutionary organisation, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and through her open military organisations the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizens Army, having patiently perfected her discipline, having resolutely waited for the right moment to reveal itself, she now seizes the moment, and supported by her exiled children in America and by the gallant allies in Europe, but relying in the first on her own strength, she strikes in full confidence of victory.