The flag and arms of the mediaeval Irish province of Mide consist of a monarch in majesty (seated on a throne).
The arms reflect the fact that Tara, the seat of the High King of Ireland, was in Mide. This symbolism is derived from iconography rather than classical heraldry; mediaeval royal seals portrayed a majesty on the obverse and the arms of the sovereign on the reverse. The sceptre, here shown to have five oval nodules, represented power, and the outstretched right hand justice; both of these were royal prerogatives. The old province of Meath, which is nearly coextensive with the present day Diocese of Meath, is heraldically personified by a representation of a royal personage seated on a throne. This is an instance where iconography is doing duty for classical heraldry. Mediaeval royal seals invariably portrayed on the obverse a majesty and on the reverse the arms of the sovereign. The sceptre and outstretched right hand typified the royal prerogatives of power and justice, respectively. It is, of course, fitting that Meath, wherein stood Tara, the symbolic site of the Kingship of Ireland, should be shown heraldically by a representation of a royal personage, or majesty, seated on a throne. The arms of Meath were apparently used at one time as the arms of Ireland,, i.e. a majesty on a sable (black) background, the provincial arms being displayed on an azure (blue) field azure.
The arms are still used by the Meath GAA, but the Meath county council has adopted a new design.
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