ODD SHOTS MONDAY - TYNWALD DAY AND THE TRISKELION

Well we've had Canada Day and American Independence Day, well make way for the big one(heavy dose of irony) put your hands together for July 7th, Tynwald Day, the Isle of Man's very own National day. It's actually July 5th, but we are celebrating on the 7th as the 5th fell on a saturday. It's still Ramsey week, but no activities today in Ramsey and the shops closed. The Triskelion, the odd shot above, I'll get to later.

Tynwald Fair Day, held annually on old midsummer's day in July is the Isle of Man's national day and is the occasion of the Tynwald Midsummer Court. The Members of Tynwald - the Manx parliament - meet at St John's village in the west of the Island for the ceremony, a legal requirement established by the Island's ninth century rulers.

The name comes from Thing-Vollr, the Norse for parliament field. Tynwald Court, together with the Island's senior public officer-holders, assembles on Tynwald Hill - a four tiered hill in the centre of St John's, reputed to be constructed from sods of earth from every parish. The open air sitting at Tynwald Hill dates back more than 1,000 years. During the ceremony, the Deemsters (the Isle of Man's High Court judges) promulgate Acts of Tynwald by proclaiming to the people in English and Manx Gaelic the titles of new laws which have been passed during the year. It is also an opportunity for Island residents to exercise their ancient right to present a petition for redress of grievance at the foot of Tynwald Hill, and for the swearing-in of the Island's four Coroners.

The Triskelion, the 3 Legs of Man symbol displayed in the photo is the national image of the island and is actually the wrong way round on the Laxey Wheel. They forgot to reverse the image when it was transfered and so remains the opposite to it should be. Incidently you may have seen the 3 legs symbol on another islands flag, that of Sicily. There are many theories about how and why the Triskelion is on the National flag, but again it seems a lot of people believe it was introduced by our friends the Vikings. Wil have to have a dedicated post to Triskelion theories.

I have recently received a few blog awards. As they are pay it forward kind of rewards, I will this week be displaying them and passing on to some deserving blogs who I'd like to highlight that may slip under the radar, but I am an ardent fan of.
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