Figure 2.--Note the elaborate embroidery on the red shoulder sash worn by this boy participating in an Irish dance competition.
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Figure 2.--Note the elaborate embroidery on the red shoulder sash worn by this boy participating in an Irish dance competition. |
Waist sashes are the best known sashes, but there are also shoulder sashes, although we are not sure this is the best term. This is an item associated with modern Celtic clothing. HBC has noted few example of boys wearing shoulder sashes. One exception is kilt outfits. We have noted shoulder sashes are worn by boys wearing dressy Scottish and Irish kilts outfits. S These are generally associted with dancing costimes or pipe bands. ome Scouts wear sashes wear they have sewb their awards, rather than sewing them on their uniforms. The only other sash we has noted are those worn by princes in fancu military uniforms.
The sash is not normally worn with Scottish kilts. They are worn, however, for formal occasions. They are also often used as part of kilt costumes in Highland dancing competitions. The shoulder sash is often plain plaid material matching the pattern of the kilt.
The Irish wear kilts less commonly tham the Scotts. Boys participating in Irish dancing, especially at formal competitions do wear shoulder sashes when attired in the formal kilt costume. River Dance and other shows have popularized Irish dance in America, but the men participating generally wear the optional black pants. The shoulder sash is usually a solid color, normally matching the color of the kilt. The Irish kilts and sashes are rarely plaid and are decorated with elaborate embroidery in the celtic style. The Celts use of spirals and knotwork in their art and religion is a significant part of their heritage. These designs were developed from nature. Spirals were particularly important and unfolded clockwise from their
counterclockwise source and represent the inner and outer evolution of the spirit. The dark into light, winter into summer, the contraction and expansion of the sun. This polarity also formed the basis of the Celtic religion. The Celts believed in the "oneness" of nature and that nature had the ability to transform itself on all levels of existance. The shapes of their zoomorphic designs signified this belief
and also their understanding of the seasonal and evolutionary changes of all creatures. Aome animals had particular sificance in celtic art: the fish symbolized clairvoyance, the serpent was divine wisdom,
the rabbit was good fortune, the birds were spirits of prophesy, the horse represented sovereignty, and the dragon was a guardian spirit.
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