Also known as “raggedy bushes”, rag trees of Ireland or Scotland are often found near sacred holy wells (Cloughtie wells)…
Usually, Hawthorn, Ash, or Whitethorn trees are chosen as rag trees, and these are hung with scraps of fabric or pieces of clothing. The fabric used in rag trees is symbolic and meaningful, as it usually indicates a desire or dream, or else a need for help with a problem.
Typically, help with an issue, or increased good fortune, is believed to come when the fabric disintegrates from the effects of time and exposure to the elements. According to legend, by the time the rags have rotted through completely, a problem will also be removed from a person’s life…
Cloughtie Wells of Ireland and Scotland
Today, there are still a few notable rag trees in the Emerald Isle – one can be found in Roscommon, close to the holy well of St. Lasair.
The picture at the top of this blog shows an Irish rag tree that is situated very close to a main road; devotional scraps of fabric weigh down the branches… Rag trees represent a form of prayer, and they may have their roots in ancient Pagan customs.
The types of rags tied to branches will vary widely, from lovely, shining silken ribbons (given in homage to God) to shabby scraps that symbolize a person’s illness or despair…
Cloughtie Wells
The word “Cloughtie” is of Scottish origin, and it means “rag”. The holy springs of Celtic lands, which often feature rag trees that are situated just a few feet away, are known as Cloughtie, or Clootie, wells.
Often, people who leave offerings hung from a rag tree will first immerse the scraps of fabric in the waters of the holy spring, in order to sanctify their devotional rags. It’s quite common for people to pray while they perform this ritual…
More examples of Cloughtie Wells that also feature rag trees include the well of St Curidan near Munlochy, Scotland, and St. Brigid’s Holy Well in Kildare, Ireland.
The practice of worshiping at these “cloth” or “cloot” wells began with the ancient Celts, and it was then adopted by the Christians…
The Travellers…
The Walking People, or Travellers, of Ireland are a distinct social group that is believed to make frequent pilgrimages to rag trees near Holy Wells. These groups of people are often referred to as Gypsies, and they have suffered ostracism at the hands of many other residents of the Emerald Isle.
Often, the excessive drinking or combative natures of these people contribute to their bad reputation…
These travellers have their own dialect (Gammon or Cant versions of the Shelta tongue), their own religious beliefs (for example, female Travellers often marry around their 16th birthday!), and their own transient way of life.
Since they wander and often squat on public lands, they tend to alienate other Irish people as they go about their business…
The Travellers of Ireland remain an interesting phenomenon that was recently explored in a British television program called My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding…
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For example, the four branches of the cross represent the four directions, and the three segments of the Trinity Knot center illustrate Father, Son and Holy Spirit…
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