What is the meaning of the Irish hex sign?

Answer 1

One of the most popular hex symbols is Dutch Irish. It features a large, green shamrock, the traditional good luck sign of the Irish, as the design's center or heart. A pair of Irish Distelfink birds shower the shamrock with a "double measure" of happiness and good fortune. Trinity tulips add faith, hope and charity; the decorative heart is overflowing with love for all. This design proclaims good luck of the Irish.

It is my understanding that the Irish hex sign was created by the Irish of General Gerorge Washington's troops with the intent to irritate the Pennsyvania Dutch soldiers with whom they encamped, but the Pennsylvania Dutch maintained their own culture enclave. Even in Berks County the Irish settled in the coal mining regions farther north and the Pennsylvania Dutch in the farming areas. Intermarriage was frowned upon but occurred occasionally with mixed results as far as social stigma results. The Irish hex sign was promoted in the encampment with the slogan, "Hurrah, hurrah, the Irish ain't much but they're a whole lot better than the Pennsylvania Dutch!". Evidently, achieving a united United States in order to fight the British was not an easy job.