Red Hand

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 Red Hand is first documented in the 13th-century where it was used by the Hiberno-Norman de Burgh earls of Ulster. It was Walter de Burgh who became first Earl of Ulster in 1243 who combined the de Burgh cross with the Red Hand to create a flag that represented the Earldom of Ulster and later became the modern Flag of Ulster.

It was afterwards adopted by the O'Neills upon their assumption of the supremacy of the ancient Ulaid kingship, inventing the title Rex Ultonie (king of Ulster) for themselves in 1317 and then claiming it unopposed from 1345 onwards. An early Irish heraldic use in Ireland of the open right hand can be seen in the seal of Aodh Ó Néill, king of the Irish of Ulster, 1344-1364.

Despite this it is claimed that the symbol was still seen as rightfully that of the Magenniss of Iveagh, the predominant surviving dynasty of the Cruithin, even in the late 17th-century.

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, now represented by the Magennis' of Iveagh) and the northern descendants of Niall Noígíallach (the O'Neills).

The Red Hand symbol is believed to have been used by the Uí Néill clan during its Nine Years' War (1594–1603) against the spread of English control. The war cry Lámh Dhearg Abú! (Red Hand to victory!) was also associated with the Uí Néill. During the reign of Elizabeth I an English writer of the time noted "The Ancient Red Hand of Ulster, the bloody Red Hand, a terrible cognizance! And in allusion to that terrible cognizance- the battle cry of Lamh dearg abu!"

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