Easter Lily (badge)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Easter Lily is an artificial paper badge worn around Easter by Irish republicans chiefly as symbol of remembrance for Irish 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, the post-Treaty Irish Republican Army, and either the Provisional IRA or the Official IRA.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The Easter Lily was introduced in 1926 by Cumann na mBan. Proceeds from the sale of the badge went to the Irish Republican Prisoners' Dependents 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.
[edit] Fianna Fáil alternative fails
In the 1930s, relations between Fianna Fáil and the IRA deteriorated considerably. Following the murder by the IRA of Richard More O'Farrell in February 1935, the Fianna Fáil leadership instructed paerty 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 symmbol 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. Nowadays, stickers bearing the words "Old IRA" are commonly sold at Fianna Fáil Easter commemorations.
[edit] Attempts to prohibit sale
Since the 1930s, successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have attempted to suppress sales of the badges, claiming that sellers are required to apply for permits to sell them. In line with the policy of abstentionism and the general non-recognition of the institutions of the Irish State, republicans had traditionally refused to apply for such permits.
[edit] "Stickies" versus "Pinheads"
After the 1969/70 IRA split, which led to the emergence of the Provisional IRA, the majority Official IRA produced a new type of Easter Lily with a self-adhesive backing. This led to the members of the Official IRA and Official Sinn Féin being referred to pejoratively as the "Stickies". On the other hand, the Provisionals retained the traditional paper and pin and became known as the "Pinheads", a nickname which has not lasted.
[edit] Growth in Provisional IRA identification
Both the Officials and the Provisionals also saw the Easter Lily as a symbol of remembrance for their members who died on "active service". With the decline in the Official IRA, the Easter Lily became more and more associated with the Provisionals and the popularity of the lily declined during the 1970s. 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 the party.
[edit] Modern usage
Breaking with republican tradition, since 1987 Sinn Féin has applied to the Garda Síochána for permits to sell Easter Lilies. Traditional republicans, organised in Republican Sinn Féin, repudiate this practice as this involves some recognition of the institutions of the Irish state, which they argue has executed many of the IRA members commemorated by the Easter Lilies.
