Irish Christening Gowns and Their Appropriate Symbols   by Melisa Sulliv

in Spirituality    (submitted 2012-02-02)

The variety of styles and designs in the Irish christening gown world is astonishing. The Celtic style of gown is typically embroidered with the traditional shamrock and lace. This is a very traditional style, but the Irish also value these Baptism Gowns for their great flexibility of fabric and design. When it comes to the shamrock, you can find it located on the lace, the details, or really anywhere on the gown. Lace from Great Britain, Italy, or other places around the world frequently is found on an Irish christening gown.

You'll see a variety of other aesthetic choices on Irish christening gowns, including additions such as the Celtic cross or the Claddagh. All of these Baptism Gowns will also contain a link to the Irish wedding dress by sporting decorations of lace, ribbons, and other materials (known as shingerleens in Irish parlance). Because family is so important to the Irish, they will often include a family crest on the christening gown, and sometimes there will also be a written list of prior generations who also wore the gown. No matter what the design, however, an Irish Baptism Gown will be a symbol of new life and the hope it brings with it.

You'll find the classic Irish shamrock on a number of articles of baby clothes, and they will almost certainly be found in either green or white. Even satin gowns for babies can contain little patterns of shamrocks and pearls.

Baptism Gowns from Ireland are well-known for their use of elaborate lace designs. Though it may not seem like much on its own, when taken with the rest of the garment, it is astounding. For thousands of years, linen has been used as a natural fabric, and it is one of the popular ones chosen for gowns. As a fabric, it is one of the strongest ones in existence, which helps explain its use in gowns for babies. Because the Irish have excelled at the entire production process of making linen, Irish fabrics are known as some of the best in existence. When it comes to Baptism Gowns, linen made in Ulster has been the fabric of choice for the Irish. When the linen is Irish, you are sure to find other Irish accents on the linen; these frequently are symbols like shamrocks, pearls, or Celtic knots.

Throughout Ireland, there are many other types of Cotton baptism gowns, and each will have its own special designs and symbols. You'll find Baptism Gowns that incorporate elaborate crochet, beautiful smocks, and the traditional Claddagh symbol, which represents folding hands.

There are more Satin Baptism Gowns styles than can be mentioned in one piece of writing, but despite all these varieties, the christening gown remains entirely Irish.

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