Shamrocks, leprechauns and Irish blessings - we love St Paddy's Day! It has become synonymous with drinking beer and wearing green but where did this holiday get its origin?
It started with St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who according to legend banished snakes from Ireland by standing on a hillside and hitting the ground with his staff. Truth be told the Emerald Isle was never the home to many snakes, and so symbolically it had more to do with banishing pagan ideology from Ireland.
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the day of St. Patrick’s death. March 17th falls within the fasting time of Lent, but on St Patrick’s Day prohibitions against eating meat were lifted and everyone would feast. Over time with the influx of Irish immigrants, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day became common in other countries. Since 1962, the City of Chicago has used green vegetable dye to turn the Chicago River shamrock green for a few hours during the festivities.
The Shamrock has been long associated with St Patrick’s Day as the plant that symbolizes the rebirth of spring. Traditionally, it is a symbol of Irish national pride and the Holy Trinity. Today, the four leafed clover is associated with good luck. Each leaf has a special meaning: first is hope, the second is faith, the third is love, and the fourth is happiness.
Just as synonymous with St. Paddy's Day, the Leprechaun is a mischievous elf and shoemaker to the faeries. His services are paid in gold, which he jealously hoards in his pot.
So how did all of the above lead to wearing green and drinking beer? The custom of wearing green began with school children who wore green to school on St. Patrick’s Day to avoid being pinched by classmates. Depending on where you live the tradition is still alive and well, so wear something green for protection! As for drinking beer, it is simply part of the feasting for the day. Celebrants choose stout (such as Guinness) or take it to the next level with green beer.
This year, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in green, raise a pint, and kiss an Irishman for luck! As the old Irish saying goes: May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!
by
Robin Mitchell
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