The opening paragraphs of the proclamation stated: ‘Irishmen and Irishwomen: In the name of God and the dead generations from which she received her old tradition of Nationhood, Ireland through us summons her children to her flag and strikes for freedom. The Easter lily, or Lilium longiflorum, grows from a bulb buried underground to bear white, trumpeting flowers which face outwards and smell divine. One doesn’t need to be an expert in semiotics to see why it came to be associated with the resurrection. In Christian tradition, lilies were said to have grown in the garden of Gethsemane at the spot where Jesus prayed on the eve of his crucifixion. The Easter lily is sometimes known as “the white-robed apostle of hope.” This year (1933), let the English comment be that the lily was worn by every man, woman and child in Ireland. The lily, which includes the colours green, white and orange, recalls the hoisting of the Tricolour over the GPO in 1916. 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.

Every succeeding year has seen the lily more widely worn until last year (1932), when the emblem was displayed by 99 per cent of the population. An English paper describing last year’s (1932) display, wrote: “Every man, woman and child in the procession wore an Easter lily, the emblem of the Republican Ireland, which pledges the bearer to use every endeavour to break the connections with England and to establish a free and sovereign Irish Republic. Not only that, but what was more significant, the lily was worn by nine out of 10 of the throngs of spectators who watched the marching thousands.” 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. It signifies the union of North and South through love and friendship. It is the symbol of republican Ireland.

Eid 

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. Cumann na mBan created the Easter Lily nine years after the Rising. It was sold to raise money to help support the families that had lost their husbands and fathers. At the time, people in Ireland were still suffering the after effects of war. The Irish War of Independence had followed the Easter Rising, with an estimated 550 republicans and 750 civilians being killed. The Easter Lily ( Irish: Lile na Cásca) is a badge in the shape of a calla lily flower, worn during Easter by Irish republicans as a symbol of remembrance for Irish republican combatants who died during or were executed after the 1916 Easter Rising. Depending on the political affiliations of the bearer, it can also commemorate members of the pre- Treaty Irish Republican Army, both post-Treaty Irish Republican Armies, and either the Provisional IRA or the Official IRA. It may also be used to commemorate members of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA).

The original Easter Lily badge was hand-made by republicans who sold it often at great risk throughout the country. Some churches will ask for donations for Easter lilies in memoriam of loved ones. These then form part of the floral display for the week’s services. Potted Easter lilies can be replanted for the following year, which continues the theme of resurrection. But if cut lilies are past their best, there is nothing to be done but recognize the fact that death follows life. As Shakespeare wrote: “For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds; Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds.” Traditionally, Easter Lilies 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, the IRA and Fianna Éireann promoted the Lily as did non-political organisations such as Conradh na Gaeilge. In wearing the Easter Lily we raise again that Banner of Easter Week: we proclaim our hope, our confidence, our determination to see the Flag of Easter Week flowing over a free, sovereign Republic for all Ireland. 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 ]Cumann na mBan continue the sale of the Easter Lily from their headquarters on 223 Parnell Street, Dublin. [ citation needed] In popular culture [ edit ] The Easter Lily is a fitting symbol for Irish nationalists. It blooms in the springtime, which coincides with the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, in which Irish rebels took control of major buildings in Dublin and declared Ireland an independent republic. 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. 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. On this badge, you can see a crescent moon and a star side by side. These symbols have been used together all over the world for centuries , and some people associate them with Muslim traditions and festivals . You can also see a R amadan F anous , a lantern that's used in some countries to decorate people’s homes during Ramadan . During Ramadan and Eid, p eople come together to celebrate in lots of ways . M any women decorate their hands with beautiful designs in henna for Eid . A nd in many Muslim countries you’ll hear the Ramad an drummers sounding a beat to wake people up before dawn so that they can eat some food before beginning a day of fasting. Diwali

Easter Lily Grave at Ardmore Cathedral of Declan Hurton (Old IRA), killed during the Irish War of Independence; note the Easter lilies 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.According to Wikipedia, 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. Today, Irish republicans continue to wear the Easter Lily to honour all those who have given their lives in the cause of Irish freedom in 1916 and in every decade since.