Black
banner paintings predominantly portray images from the Old Testament and
focus on themes, which emphasise the trials and tribulations of the
Israelites, and on their unwavering faith in their status as God’s Chosen
People. Depictions of Noah on the ark, Moses by the burning bush, Moses
leading his people across the parted Red Sea, Daniel in the lion’s den,
David slaying Goliath and Gideon and his Three Hundred are all
demonstrations of the power of God to fulfil his promise to his people.
Similarly the few New Testament stories that appear, such as the Three Wise
Men, also emphasise the need to maintain faith against the odds. Black
banners have few references to history or the Williamite wars but rather,
prefer to make a simple and clear analogy between the position and plight of
the Ulster Protestants and with Israelites of Biblical times.
