Traditions, Myths & More
In many cities and towns throughout the world, March 17th is marked by crowded pubs, green beer and cleverly crafted outfits of head-to-toe green. St. Patrick’s Day is a time for the Irish spirit, and sometimes even accents, to come through, even among those without a twig of Irish heritage in their family tree. So, why do we all don our best green get-ups for this occasion?
What
We Know or Infer About St. Patrick the Man
Historians believe that Patrick was likely born in a small British village, where he lived until about 14 or 16 years old, with his moderately wealthy family. At this point, reality could rival any myth, as it is said young Patrick was kidnaped by Irish raiders, who brought him back to Ireland as a slave.
St. Patrick would later reflect that he believed it was this experience that brought him closer to God. He spent six years as a slave, herding sheep for his captors, until one day he said he heard the voice of God. He did as he heard, and walked hundreds of miles to the coast, where he found a ship that returned him to his home and family.
Patrick went back to Ireland eventually and traveled the nation for decades, converting chieftains and communities from the druid religion to Christianity.
Modern Traditions
Most people already know that St. Patrick is the foremost patron saint of Ireland, but what many do not know is that March 17th marks the day that St. Patrick died, back in 461 AD. However, it wasn’t until sometime in the early 17th century that it was made official, and proclaimed a Christian feast day in commemoration of the arrival of Christianity to Ireland.
Even more to the point about the importance of St. Patrick to the Irish heritage is the fact that church-led restrictions owing to Lent, which happens to fall dead-smack around March 17th every year, are lifted (including drinking alcohol!).
To this day, St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the small island and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat, as well as the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Fun Facts
The color green has been associated with, and remains a symbol of Ireland, to this day, but why? Here are some interesting facts about the traditions, myths and more that you may or may not have heard about. These fun facts keep St. Patrick’s Day a favorite among the Irish and non-Irish alike:
1) Have you ever been pinched for not wearing green on March 17th?
One old Irish myth says that wearing green would make party-goers invisible to leprechauns and fairies (oh my!). Typically, these fictitious rapscallions were said to wander around a good party, pinching whoever they came across. Wearing green allowed revelers to become invisible to the wee magic folk and enjoy the party without being pinched by a pair of tiny fingers!
Interestingly, this is also the reason you might find yourself pinched for forgoing green, even today! Avoid pinched cheeks and find yourself a white t shirt and make your own DIY St. Patrick’s Day shirt.
2) Have you ever wondered why the Shamrock is used as a symbol of St. Patrick’s day over a four-leaf clover, and what’s the difference?
Another important symbol for anyone partaking in the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations is the shamrock: ah — you guessed it — the green three-leafed symbol of the Holy Trinity. A shamrock, or the original Gaelic version, “seamrog” means “little clover”— a term that covers most plants with three leaves from the genus Trifolium.
This is different than it’s —also green — but luckier four-leaf cousin, the four-leaf clover. It is said that St. Patrick used the indigenous piece of foliage to explain the concept of the divine trinity to those that he sought to convert.
A less religious interpretation of the symbolism behind the three leaves is that they stand for love, faith and hope. These days, you are more likely to enjoy a shamrock shake, instead of a sermon.
3) Have you heard the one about the snakes?
Another myth associated with St. Patrick is that he rid the country of snakes, a biblical symbol for evil. So, the story goes, St. Patrick was fasting for 40 days atop a mountain, as one does. Upon his descent, he happened upon a rumba of snakes — slithering hither and dither all over the rolling green foothills. He was so irate at the audacity of these serpents that he drove them into the sea and banished them from the emerald shores of Ireland for all time.
4)There was also that time St. Patrick spoke for so long, that he grew his own foliage!
Yet another legend has St. Patrick pegged as a legendary orator for God’s word, or, at least legendary in his ability to talk for hours on end. This legend states that once, St. Patrick, who carried a wooden walking stick, preached for so long that his walking stick, which was resting nearby, grew roots and became a living tree again.
5)
Wearing Green
This is nothing per se in the legend of St. Patrick that associates the color green with the saint.
Though green is often associated with the Emerald Isle, the “wearing of the green” on March 17th itself did not become a true tradition until the 19th century, when Irish immigrants in New York popularized it. In fact, blue was the original color of St. Patrick.
Despite having to leave their homeland in droves, mostly for reasons of food insecurity caused by the Great Famine (from 1845-50) the Irish maintained their national pride. They became known for wearing green and carrying Irish flags as a way to show their heritage proudly.
Though the association between St. Patrick and the color green are, like most stories surrounding the mystical missionary, embellished just a wee bit (as is Irish tradition), the history between Ireland and the color green is long. Mostly built up around the Irish Catholic population, green has long been associated with the shores of the Emerald Isle, while the Irish Protestant populations have strong ties to the color orange. Both colors can be found on the Irish flag, separated only by a block of white, meant to represent peace between the two.
Credits:
Article & Images contributed by : Brenda Kimble
