It's St. Patrick's Day

ST. PATRICK'S DAY is an Irish holiday celebrated all around the globe to honor the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. It is celebrated each year on March 17th. There are many traditions and symbols associated with St. Patrick's Day and Ireland. Here are a handful of the most popular practices:

The SHAMROCK as symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day is partly due to the natural abundance of clover plants in the country, but largely due to its strong association with Christianity. According to Robert Mahony, Professor of English and member of the Center for Irish Studies at Catholic University, legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to visually illustrate the concept of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) when trying to convert pagans to Christianity.

Although clovers are most often found in nature with three leaves, rare FOUR-LEAF CLOVER do exist. Finding one is thought to bring someone extreme luck. The folklore for four-leaf clovers differs from that of the Shamrock due to the fact that it has no religious allusions associated with it. It is believed that each leaf of a four-leaf clover represents something different: first is hope, the second is faith, the third is love, and the fourth is happiness.

                                                                                                                                

A LEPRECHAUN looks like a little old man and dresses like a shoemaker with a cocked hat and leather apron. A Leprechaun's personality is described as aloof and unfriendly. They live alone and pass the time by mending the shoes of Irish fairies.

The legend is that the fairies pay the leprechauns for their work with golden coins, which the "little people" collect in large pots-the famous "pots of gold" often associated with leprechauns. If you listen closely for the sound of their hammer you might be able to capture one. If you do you can force him to reveal where he's hidden his treasure. 

                                                      

So why do we all wear GREEN? 

Probably because you'll be pinched if you don't! School children started this tradition. Green is also the color of spring, the shamrock, and is connected with hope and nature. In addition to that, Ireland is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to the lush natural greenery found on the island. Says Prof. Mahony, "One of the things that strikes people all the time is how Ireland is incredibly green! When people say that 'Ireland has 40 shades of green,' they are right!"

Source: St. Patrick's Day History, Traditions and Symbols (abridged and adapted)

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