The Irish language is often remarked upon for it's poetic turn of phrase and that is no more obvious in the seanfhocail - Irish proverbs or 'old words'. Seanfhocail are well known sentences that some might see as cliché, but when each one of them is considered in more than just passing, the deeper wisdom and cultural insights can be glimpsed.
Fios is the Irish word for knowledge, but unlike eolas (information) this words speak more to visionary wisdom, carnal knowledge and in some circles a Second Sight.
Eolas is the Irish word for Knowledge, but though it can be used for information, it is interesting that this word also covers a practical understanding or familiarity that some might attribute to deeper comprehension.
Bua is the Irish word for Victory, but it can also be applied in a number of other ways, describing a persons talent, merit, some special quality, or even their destiny or lot in life.
Clann is the Irish word for family, but it can also be used to describe descendants or offspring of a family line. This is most common use of this word but in looking a little deeper into the language and exploring its other translations, maybe we can gain a deeper understanding of what family means in Irish culture.
Ogham is the first written script of Ireland. Combining this ancient script with the words from the living Irish language our Ogham series hopes to bring new energy and awareness to both.
Neart is the Irish word for Strength, but it can also be read as force or power.
Misneach is the Irish word for courage. Unlike many other Irish words there does not appear to be alternative meanings to this term. The concept of courage is something that many would see as a fundamental facet of the human condition, as core to our existence as fear.
All over our world, people are starved of recognition, compassion, acceptance, and shockingly hundred of years on, basic food and water. We pride ourselves on the marvels of our modern world and its technological progressiveness, but all of these advances are still benefiting only a potion of our world and leaving the rest to suffer and struggle for their very survival.
The Irish language is often remarked upon for it's poetic turn of phrase and that is no more obvious in the sean fhocail - or 'old words'. Sean fhocail are well known sentences that some might see as cliché, but when each one of them is considered in more than just passing, the deeper wisdom and cultural insights can be glimpsed.
Ar scáth a chéile, a mhaireann na daoine translates as "Under the shelter of each other, people survive."
Tús Maith Leath Na Hoibre translates as "A good Start is Half the work".
Often in our lives we fall afoul of a difficult to perceive influence which we are exposed to all of the time in our modern world. We are constantly shown how "great" a thing is in its completed state and rarely the effort that went into getting it there.