Observance of St. Patrick’s Day
See this holiday’s unexpected facts (like why we wear green in the first place).
Show off your green! Every year on March 17, people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which is filled with parades, lucky charms, and everything green. Originally a religious festival, the occasion has evolved into an Irish cultural celebration.
HONORED SAINT
Although St. Patrick is revered as Ireland’s patron saint, he wasn’t born and raised there. Patrick arrived in Ireland at the age of sixteen after being sent there to labor after being born in Britain in the fourth century.
Following his arrival, Patrick developed a keen interest in Christianity and began instructing others in the faith. As a result of his alleged conversion of a large number of the populace to Christianity, St. Patrick’s Day is today observed on the day when Patrick is reported to have passed away.
MYTHS DE BUSTED
While there is mythology behind some of the customs connected to the feast and St. Patrick himself, the latter was a historical person. On St. Patrick’s Day, for example, you’ll frequently see the four-leaf clover. On the other hand, legend has it that Patrick imparted lessons using a three-leaf clover, also known as a shamrock. Although a shamrock can develop a fourth leaf, a four-leaf clover is merely regarded as lucky charm.
According to a different narrative, Patrick drove all snakes from Ireland. The issue? In reality, these animals never made the country their home. The water actually keeps a lot of species that are present in Europe and North America away from the island of Ireland..
TURNING GREEN
Ireland is commonly referred to as the Emerald Isle since it is an island nation with verdant hills and leafy trees. However, blue was once thought to be the color associated with St. Patrick! (This color is even used in some historic Irish flags.) When the shamrock—which is, of course, green—became a national symbol in the 18th century, green was finally incorporated into St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The prominence of the shamrock and the geography of Ireland led to the color becoming associated with the celebration.
Moreover, leprechauns, or mythological fairies, prefer to dress in green—at least in modern times. However, legends concerning leprechauns predate the popularity of green: At first, the fairies were said to be dressed in red.
CURRENT TRADITIONS
One good reason to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day is to avoid getting pinched—leprechauns, that is! The custom stems from a folktale that leprechauns, who prefer to pinch anyone they can see, cannot see anyone who are wearing green. Wearing the hue is a way for some people to acknowledge their Irish heritage, while others believe it will bring them good fortune. It seems sense that there are green decorations everywhere; in fact, Illinois’s Chicago River is lit green in honor of the event every year.
On St. Patrick’s Day, many Irish-Americans in the US observe another custom: eating corned beef and cabbage. Additionally, crowds assemble to witness parades of traditional Irish musicians and dancers as they go through urban streets. I hope you have a lucky day, no matter how you celebrate.
