Red Hand of Ulster — the heraldic symbol of the O'Neill clan and the wider Northern Uí Néill
Image
Red Hand of Ulster
Creator
Medieval Irish heraldic tradition
Physical form
Heraldic symbol — open red right hand, palm facing forward
Current location
Wikimedia Commons (SVG vector)
Provenance
SVG from Wikimedia Commons. Public domain by virtue of being a medieval heraldic symbol.
Content note
The Red Hand of Ulster (Lámh Dhearg Uladh) is the heraldic symbol of the Northern Uí Néill, including the O'Neill clan of Tyrone — the dynasty Brant Hindman descends from via the Sliocht Airt sept and Hugh O'Neil (1605 Omagh). First documented in the seal of Aodh Ó Néill, King of the Irish of Ulster (1344-1364). Legend says Heremon, the third son of Milesius and first Uí Néill king of Ireland, cut off his right hand and threw it onto the shore to win a boat race for the Irish kingship. The symbol still appears on the Northern Ireland flag, on Ulster GAA emblems, and on the arms of Baronets of Ulster.
