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What’s that all about anyway?. History behind St. Patrick’s Day, Shamrocks, and why we celebrate it. Submitted by Daniela Gemignani. Saint Patrick. Patron saint of Ireland English missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5 th century. The common religion before was Druidism.
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What’s that all about anyway? History behind St. Patrick’s Day, Shamrocks, and why we celebrate it. Submitted by Daniela Gemignani
Saint Patrick • Patron saint of Ireland • English missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. The common religion before was Druidism. • According to legend, used the shamrock to explain the trinity to the people.
St. Patrick’s Day Today • In Ireland, a religious holiday much like Christmas or Easter and is part of a 5 day festival by the Church of Ireland. • In the U.S., the day is usually celebrated with wearing green, having parades, and drinking alcohol and parades. • Cultures with Irish immigrants celebrate this holiday.
Fun Facts • "The Wearing of the Green" symbolizes the birth of springtime. Irish legend states that green clothes attract fairies and aid crops. • St. Patrick's Day was first observed as a holiday in the United States in 1737. • The shamrock is the symbol of a quality B & B that's earned the right to display it. • Wearing the shamrock instead of a cross on the holiday at one time showed your low economic status.
Four Leaf Clover If a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky? ~Stanislaw J. Lec • Four leaf clover is a widely known symbol of GOOD LUCK. • "The clovers also occupied a position in the cultural life of early peoples. White clover (T. repens L.) in particular was held in high esteem by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits." Clover Science and Technology". N.L. Taylor, 1985. • Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. • The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck. Hope Faith Fakes… Love Luck
Shamrock • For good luck, it's usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride, and also in the boutonniere of the groom. • It's also an integral part of an old tradition called "drowning the shamrock." This takes place on St. Patrick's Day, when the shamrock that has been worn in the hat or lapel is removed and put into the last drink of the evening. A toast is proposed and then, when the toast has been honored, the shamrock is taken from the bottom of the glass and thrown over the left shoulder. Sláinte!
The Wearin’ O’ The Green • Oh, Paddy, dear, an' did ye hear the news that's goin' round?The shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground!No more St. Patrick's Day we'll keep, his colour can't be seen,For there's a cruel law agin' the Wearin' o' the green. ~Author Unknown
Shamrock as an Irish Symbol • In 17th century it became the custom to wear the shamrock on the feast of Ireland's patron saint; until then, the Irish wore a special St. Patrick's cross, made just for the occasion. • In the late 18th century, the shamrock was adopted as an emblem by the Volunteers of 1777. • It become widely popular in the 19th century, when the emerging Nationalist movements took the shamrock, along with the harp, as one of their emblems. • Viewed as an act of rebellion in Victorian England, Irish regiments were forbidden to display it. This established the shamrock as Ireland's national emblem. It was also the catalyst for the creation of the famous ballad, The Wearin' O' The Green.
Resources • http://oldfashionedliving.com/holidays/shamrock.html • http://www.fourleafclover.com/vshop/facts_about_4-leaf_clovers.html • http://www.articlealley.com/article_31453_27.html • http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AEmblem/Shamrock.html • http://www.quotegarden.com/st-patricks-day.html
