Thursday, February 21, 2013

Three distinctive symbols of Scotland are the bagpipe, the kilt, and Edinburgh Castle. The Welsh flag with its red dragon is a well known symbol of Wales. Research one of these symbols and prepare a short report explaining why it has become a symbol of its country.

28 comments:

  1. The Bagpipe
    I choose the bagpipe because I was interested in learning more about it. As being the national instrument in Scotland it plays a huge part in the history of Scotland. It is the nations pride. They were a symbol of freedom after the war with the Celtics this was nicknamed the war instrument. They were actually banned for 50 years by the British because of what they were symbolizing. Outlawing only made them more popular making them a rebellion. This history can stretch back to before Christ.

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  2. Men in skirts! Oh my! The kilt is in every true Scottish man's closet. It symbolizes power and drama. The British government outlawed the kilt, but the highland regiments kept the kilt culture alive until them too had to give up their beloved garment in 1782! After that only pipers could wear kilts. Who knew skirts could cause such a ruckus!

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  3. Edinburgh Castle
    Edinburgh castle is Scotland's biggest tourist attraction. It is loated in Edinburgh, Scotland, and it gets over 1 mil visitors a year!
    The castle is a history of war. In its early years it was destroyed and rebuilt in 1578. The castle is on a big rock. Charles 1 was the last king to reign n Edinbrgh Castle. Part of the castle is the Scottish National War Memorial.
    Edinburgh Castle is very beautiful. It overlooks the Edinburgh skyline. Scotland feels a sense of naional pride from it. The castle is one of the biggest attractions in the world. That is why Edinburgh Castle is a national symbol of Scotland.

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  4. The bagpipe became a inportant symbol in Scotland because it basically reflects their musical culture.They use bagpipes so much like in festivals.

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  5. The bagpipes is scotlands most loved instrument. Celtics used this as a war instrument. It is also used in many ceremonies. It has 4 pipes and one more to blow on to play music. It works off of a bag in the middle of the instrument. It has been very influential to their culture. sorry mine got deleted and his all i can remember. I am also sorry for any spelling errors.

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  6. The kilt in scotish culture is the most recognisable cultural tradition.The kilt is a symbol of active nationalism.The kilts older gaellic name is philabeg.Nowdays the kilt is seen as the national dress of scotland.In the beginning it was no such thing.

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  7. The great Highland bagpipe is considered Scotland’s national instrument, and is one of the most iconic symbols of Scottish culture. Scotland’s national instrument, the bagpipes, is still very popular. From buskers on the street to pipe bands parading through Scottish towns and cities, you are are likely to hear the unmistakable sound of the bagpipe in Scotland before you see them.Today the bagpipes are used in military and regional pipe bands, to entertain at ceilidhs and in folk bands and solo performances. They are also commonly used to accompany.

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  8. The bagpipe os the national instrument of Scotland. When irish and Scottish immigrated to this country they brought many of their traditions with them. Or these were the Great Highland bagpipe often played at Celtic weddings, funreals, ceilis (dances) The bagpipes have become a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral. Bagpipes were a symbol of freedom. The Great Highland bagpipes were believed, "an instrumet from war." While many Scottish and Irish people left their native land to escape British ruler. The Great Highland bagpipes were seen as a symbol of Celtic freedom and heritage.

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    1. Make sure your comments are "in your own words". If you borrow someone else's words be sure to give them credit.

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  9. The Welsh Flag
    The Welsh Flag (known to them as 'Y Ddraig Goch') features a two-striped backround (green on bottom half and white on the top half) with a beautiful red dragon in the middle. The actual origen of the flag has been lost in the passage of time, but many have guessed at its meaning. Some say that the dragon represents ancient warriors, while others believe that it stands for hardiness, bravery, strength and valour! The other colors, the green an white, are also said to have a meaning. White means peace and prosperity, and green means hope, joy and love! Combining all of these characteristics together can tell a lot about the Wesh culture, life, and country.

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  10. Edinburgh Castle has become part of the Scottish culture for many reasons. One being that in in 1757 many French prisoners were put in the castle as hostages, however in 1811 escaped, causing a large hole to be put in the side of the castle. Many memorials are placed on the perimeter of the castle and also in. The parliament also reopened in 1999 here.

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  11. i chose the kilt because it sounded pretty cool because i mean, men wearing skirts... thats always cool. and i also have a kilt of my own that my mom got me for my birthday when she went to scotland. The kilt is more than just a covering. It allowed those who wore it to move much more freely, especially in the Highlands of Scotland where the weather can become very damp. With its tight weave of strong wool, it created a barrier between the rain and skin. When the armies of the past were fighting in Scotland, the pleated kilt helped protect the soldier kind of like armor would. When the nights became cold, the kilt was easily removed and spread out to create a blanket to keep the person who owned it warm. Lastly, if the army needed to move with a much quicker force, the kilt could be easily removed, which allowed the soldier more freedom of movement. Today the kilt is the national dress of Scotland and worn by many.

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    1. You provided a lot of great information. You have a quilt? Very cool! :)

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  12. Edinburgh Castle is located in Edinburgh city in scottland. It was established in 1130. It was built on top of an inactive volcano with the hard rock as the base to the stronghold. After many years the castle was always being under seige. The seiges were always the Scottish against the English. The Scottish were never able to regain control of the castle since 1745. The Scotts did gain control of the city but retreted after a couple of months beacuse the castle is very fortified. It held prisonors for many years until there was break out in the 1814. The only thing the castle still does is hold millitary ceromonies and tours of the castle.

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  13. Edinburgh castle dominates it's city of Edinburgh unlike most other castles. This certain castle was built on a rock that formed 70 million years ago. Being captured and recaptured many times by an individuals, armies, or the Scottish and English. At a certain time the castle was used to hold some of the first French prisoners of war. Later on there was a mass of prisoners that broke out of the castle. In 1840 to 1842 a military prison was built and used to hold offending soldiers. After the many conflicts that occurred at the castle, buildings were repaired such as the St Margaret's Chapel and Great Hall. Now today, there are a few memorials surrounding the castle and a National War Museum.

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  14. I chose the bagpipes because if some kind of sound can come out of that weird looking thing, it's deffinatly worth looking up and learning more about. Bagpipes took their place in Scotland in the 1700s in many different shapes and sizes. Bagpipes were you at any kind of event. They were used in ceremonies and they were used in the military. This action has spread across the world.

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    1. Why do you think the bagpipe's popularity has spread?

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  15. the bag pipe is the national instrument of Scotland. Its is the best represented in this music of the Scottish Highlands.the instrument has been documented back in ancient times.(BC)the bags are made of sheep or elk sin and filled with air. in Glasgow they have competitions top show case the best players. they call the bagpipe the war instrument because it was played after the Celtic war. this is why the Scottish appreciate their instrument so much

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  16. Edinburgh castle is Scotland's biggest tourist attraction with over 1 million visitors every year. it is located in edinburgh city. it was established in the year 1130. edinburgh castle was built on top of an old valcano that is no longer active. in 1757 many French prisoners were put in the castle as hostages but in 1811 they escaped. this caused a large hole in the side of the castle. Many memorials are placed on the perimeter of the castle and in it as well. Charles the 1st was the last king to reign Edinbrgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle has a beautiful view. It overlooks the Edinburgh skyline. edinburgh castle is an amazing historical location.

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  17. The Scottish kilt shows Scotland's differences of design and construction which is different from other clothes fitting the general description for other countries. It is an original piece of clothing that is unique because no other country has them. Scottish people think it is important because it separates them from the rest of the world. It also allows People that live in Scotland to move more freely because it is very windy and rainy there. It also symbolizes freedom from england because it was outlawed by England in 1782, but Scotland kept up their tradition of wearing it and rebelled against England! I think a kilt is a great way to show Scotland's originality.

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  18. Kilts are one of the funniest things. Each kilt is made out of 8 yards of material. One kilt wieghts about 5 pounds. That is pretty heavy. If you want to make one by hand it will take you around 15 hours. Kilts are one of the most powerful symboll.

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  19. The Scottish kilt became a symbol of Scotland to represent national identity. Scotland wanted to keep their cultures completely separate from England. they to show originality by wear them, because they are so unique, in fact no other country wears them. Scotland rebelled against England after the kilt was outlawed.

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  20. Bagpipes

    When one thinks of Ireland, its national symbol, the Celtic harp, springs immediately to mind. In the case of Scotland, the same can be said of the Great Highland Bagpipes. Across all continents, more than 200 different varieties of bagpipes are being played today.The worldwide fame enjoyed today by the Great Highland Bagpipes is due ironically in no small part to the British, who recruited Scottish Highlanders into regiments that were pressed into battle in all corners of the Empire. Had the Great Pipes not persisted so strongly in the Highland regions--long after other areas of Europe had given them up for softer bellows-blown pipes—they would not be nearly as well-known as they are today.

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  21. Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear. There has been a royal castle here since at least the reign of David in the 12th century, and the site continued to be a royal residence until the Unions of the Crowns in 1603. From the 15th century the castles residential role declined, and by the 17th century its principal role was as a military base with a large garrison. Its importance as a historic monument was recognized from the 19th century, and various restoration programmes have been carried out since. As one of the most important fortresses in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle was involved in many historical conflicts.

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