'I've been drinking Guinness for years and just realised what the logo means'
Guinness isn't just any beer - it's Ireland most iconic export and a proud symbol of Irish heritage recognised all over the world. This famous dry stout, brewed in Dublin since 1759, is instantly recognisable by its rich, dark colour and creamy white head.
Loved for its unique roasted malt flavour, over 10 million glasses of Guinness are enjoyed every single day across the world.
But there's something even the most seasoned Guinness drinkers might not know - the famous logo you see on every bottle, can and pint glass isn't just a decoration.
After years of drinking the legendary beverage, many people are only just realising what the Guinness harp really means, and it's deeply Irish story.
The harp isn't just any harp. It's inspired by one of Ireland's oldest and most treasured symbols, the Brian Boru harp. This ancient 14th-century Gaelic harp, sometimes called the O'Neill harp, is kept safe at Trinity College Library in Dublin, where visitors from all over come to see it.
Guinness explains: "Ireland was well-known overseas at the time for its rich culture and musical heritage. The harp was a significant emblem of this tradition and has been a heraldic symbol of Ireland from the 13th century. The Guinness Harp is based on the 'Brian Boru Harp', considered to be one of the finest surviving examples of the Gaelic harp, or cláirseach.
"The mythology of the harp itself is that it once belonged to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, who died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. More recently, the harp has been dated to the 14th century but maintains its nominal association with Ireland's legendary king. The original creator of the harp remains a mystery. The harp was donated to Trinity College Dublin in 1782, where it continues to be on display today."
The harp first appeared on a Guinness bottle label back in 1862 and while it has gone through several redesigns over the centuries, it's been synonymous with the brand ever since.
In what might come as a twist, the Guinness harp actually faces the opposite way to the official Irish harp used by the government.
Guinness said: "The Irish Free State chose the same Brian Boru harp as the official emblem on its founding in 1922 and it remains on the Republic of Ireland's national coat of arms. It appears on the Presidential seal, as well as coins and passports. As Guinness had already trademarked the logo, the Irish State were required to 'flip' the image harp faces in the opposite direction - compare the logo on an Irish coin to your pint glass!"
This little detail has clearly surprised fans on social media, especially with the recent 'split the G' trend, where people have been dissecting and celebrating Guinness's logo like never before.
One person wrote: "How am I just noticing that Guinness logo is a harp?"
Another shared: "Am I the only one that is just realising that the Guinness logo is a harp?? I seriously thought it was just a weirdly bent piece of gold."
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