The Red Hand is rooted in
Gaelic culture as the sign of a great warrior. It is believed to date back to
pagan times. The Red Hand is first documented in surviving records in the 13th century, where it was used by the Hiberno-Norman de Burgh
earls of Ulster. An early-15th-century poem by
Mael Ó hÚigínn is named , The Order of Baronets was instituted by
letters patent dated 10 May 1612, which state that "the Baronets and their descendants shall and may bear, either in a canton in their coat of arms, or in an
inescutcheon, at their election, the arms of Ulster, that is, in a field argent, a hand gules, or a bloody hand." In medieval Irish literature, several real and legendary kings were given the byname 'red hand' or 'red handed' to signify that they were great warriors. One is the mythical High King of Ireland,
Lugaid Lámderg (Lugaid the red handed), who, according to
Eugene O'Curry, is cited in one Irish legend as being king of the Cruthin of Ulaid during the reign of the mythical
Conchobar Mac Nessa. As a result, the warriors rushed towards land with one chopping off his hand and throwing it over his comrades and thus winning the land.
"Red Hand" as a byname In medieval Irish literature, several real and legendary kings were given the byname "red hand" or "red-handed" ( or ). It signified that they were great warriors, their hands being red with the blood of their enemies. His epithet meaning "red hand", was transferred to Lugaid Meann around the start of the Irish historic period. • The Annals of the Four Masters mentions "Reachta Righdhearg" (
Rechtaid Rígderg) as a
High King of Ireland. He gained the name "Righdhearg" according to Geoffrey Keating as he had an arm that was "exceeding Red". Reachta is listed as the great-grandson of "Lughaigdh Lamdhearg" (Lugaid Lámderg). •
Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair, otherwise known as "Cathal the Red-Handed O'Conor", was a king of
Connacht in the early 13th century. There is a poem that is attributed as having been composed between 1213 and Cathal's death in 1224, which makes frequent reference to Cathal's red hand. • A Dermott Lamhdearg is cited by
Meredith Hanmer in his "Chronicles of Ireland" (first published in 1633), as being a
king of Leinster who fought a battle around the start of the 5th century against an army of marauders at Knocknigen near Dublin. • The Kavanaghs of
Borris, County Carlow, descend from Dermot Kavanagh Lamhdearg, lord of
St Mullin's, the second son of Gerald Kavanagh, Lord of Ferns in 1431. Gerald was descended from
Domhnall Caomhánach, a son of
Diarmait Mac Murchada,
king of Leinster. • The Cavenaghs of Kildare that became part of the
Protestant Ascendancy are kin of the Kavanagh's of Borris and according to their own traditions claim descent from a Cathair Rua Caomhánach who was said to descend the Lámhdhearg (Red Hand) branch of the
Caomhánach clan. • Quatran 78 of the classical Irish poem , makes mention of the "", translated as 'a descendant () of the red-handed kings of Leinster'. This poem, as well as the related poem , mention a Carn Lámha, the burial place of Fraoch's hand. • Gleoir Lamhderg, or Gleoir the red-handed, was a king of the Lamraighe and allegedly the step-father of
Fionn mac Cumhaill from the
Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. The Lamraighe are claimed as descending from Lamha, a son of
Conchobar mac Nessa, a legendary king of Ulster. ==Similar symbols==