Sunburst flag

{{Short description|Early flag associated with Irish nationalism}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 200 | image1 = Green Sunburst Flag.svg | image2 = Sunburst and Starry Plough flag.png | image3 = Sunburst Flag.svg | caption1 = Traditional variation of the sunburst flag<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7hPxDQAAQBAJ&q=%22sunburst+flag%22&pg=PA223|title=Newspapers and Newsmakers: The Dublin Nationalist Press in the Mid-Nineteenth Century|first=Ann|last=Andrews|date=April 1, 2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9781781387450|via=Google Books}}</ref> | caption2 = A version of the sunburst flag which incorporates the Starry Plough flag as well as a pike, associated with the United Irishmen. The flag may have been used by the 26th Battalion of the National Army.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000509457 |title= Signal fires : 26th battalion Easter Week 1943 / |last= |first= |date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=29 November 2021 |quote=}}</ref> | caption3 = A modern variation of the sunburst flag | caption_align = center | footer = | footer_align = centre }}

The '''sunburst flag''' ({{langx|ga|An Gal Gréine}}) is an Irish flag associated with early Irish nationalism, Irish culture and language groups, and more recently, youth wings of Irish republican groups such as Na Fianna Éireann.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J6s6DwAAQBAJ&q=%22sunburst+flag%22&pg=PT464|title=A History of Women in 100 Objects|first1=Maggie|last1=Andrews|first2=Janis|last2=Lomas|date=February 23, 2018|publisher=History Press|isbn=9780750987196|via=Google Books}}</ref> The flag is first thought to have been used in 1858 by the Irish Republican Brotherhood. The sunburst flag is still used today, by both republican groups, and various Irish language and Gaelic revival organisations most notably Conradh na Gaeilge.<ref>{{Cite web|author=|date=|title="An Gal Gréine"|url=https://ansionnachfionn.com/seanchas-mythology/an-gal-greine/|website="AN SIONNACH FIONN"|location=|publisher="AN SIONNACH FIONN"|access-date= 2 February 2026}}</ref>

== History and origins of the flag == The sunburst flag's design is inspired by the Fianna of Irish mythology. Described as brave warriors who performed a large number of impressive feats, the Fianna referred to themselves as either ''Gal Gréine'' or ''Scal Ghréine'', which both mean sunburst.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DqLzhoj8c6IC&q=%22sunburst%22+fianna&pg=PA123|title=Revisiting Robert Tressell's Mugsborough|publisher=Cambria Press|isbn=9781621968344|via=Google Books}}</ref> The earliest confirmed use of the sunburst flag is found in the 18th century as the guidon of the County Sligo Light Horse. The motto was as ''Post nubila Phoebus'' ("After the clouds Sun") symbolising a new day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sources.nli.ie/Record/PS_UR_025035|title=Guidon of the Co. Sligo Light Horse, (the property of Mr. Donal F. O'Hara).|date=August 15, 1956|website=sources.nli.ie}}</ref>

The sunburst flag, and the symbol of the sunburst itself came into more common use by Irish nationalists during the 19th century. In 1858, the Irish Republican Brotherhood adopted the flag as their symbol. During the American Civil War, the sunburst motif was incorporated by several Irish regiments in their standards. In 1893 the Irish-language group called Conradh na Gaeilge established themselves, using the flag as the group's symbol in reference to the Fianna.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-sun.html|title=Ireland: Sunburst|website=www.crwflags.com}}</ref>

During January of 1861 a group of French Zouaves were visiting Cork and they were given a banner by the local Nationalists. On the banner was a representation of the sunburst flag between the Stars and Stripes and French tricolor.<ref>''Daily California Express'', 26 January 1861</ref>

== Modern Usage ==

[[File:Flag of the Communist Party of Ireland.svg|thumb|left|Flag of the Communist Party of Ireland]] [[File:Sunburst_flag_Old_Cushendun_Road.JPG|thumb|left|Modern republican sunburst variant flying at Old Cushendun Road in county Antrim, Northern Ireland.]] Since the 1970's, the Communist Party of Ireland have incorporated the '''sunburst''' design into their flags on a field of Gules as recently as the 2014 local elections where they stood two candidates, both of which lost.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.communistpartyofireland.ie/|title=Communist Party of Ireland / Páirtí Cumannach na hÉireann|website=www.communistpartyofireland.ie}}</ref>

Several dissident republican groups and the Republican Network for Unity have also incorporated the design since the early 2000's, including Saoradh a decade later.{{CN|date=January 2026}} In northern counties, such as Antrim, variants can be found flying on rural county roads and private residencies. These flags are often flown by dissident republicans but usage is not necessarily exclusive to them. In the United States, for example, some fraternal organizations like the Ancient Order of Hibernians still incorporates the '''sunburst''' design into their badges, emblems, and occasional flags.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aohyonkers.com/|title=Ancient Order of Hibernians - Myles Scully Division One of Yonkers|website=aohyonkers.com}}</ref> There also exists, in New York, an Irish-American micronation and or organization that also uses a variant of the '''sunburst''' design locally.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=Gary |title=Aynvaul Micronation thrives on LI under residents’ noses! |url=https://www.gcnews.com/articles/aynvaul-micronation-thrives-on-li-under-residents-noses/|website=Garden City News |date=July 12, 2024 |publisher=Litmor Publishing Corp. |access-date=January 23, 2026}}</ref>

Variants not affiliated with the dissident republicans, such as the Irish Military College, typically use variants of the banner closer to the early 20th century Fenian orders, where the half-sun and its expanding rays are centered on the lower edge of the flag, the sunbeams alternating between short and longer ones. By contrast, most dissident republican flag variants, after 1990, tend to place a quarter-sun in the lower left field of the flag with rays emanating outwards into the top right field in either straight, wavy, or alternating between both. Additionally, after 1970, both official and unofficial '''sunbursts''' have changed from the traditional gold-yellow to orange reflecting the final block of the Tricolour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ansionnachfionn.com/seanchas-mythology/an-gal-greine/|title=The Gaelic Revival and the Irish Revolution|website=www.ansionnachfionn.com}}</ref>

==See also== * Nebra sky disk * Rising Sun (badge), a badge of the Australian army * Rising Sun Flag, a Japanese flag * Starry Plough (flag)

==References== <references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sunburst Flag}} Category:Flags of Ireland Category:Irish Republican Brotherhood Category:Flags displaying a sun