With March already here, the first thing that comes to mind to celebrate is none other than Saint Patrick’s Day! This holiday is known for its themes of green, shamrocks, leprechauns and parades; but the history, superstitions and folklore behind it are much more intriguing.
In Ireland, when this holiday was created, a man called Saint Patrick drove out all of the snakes into the sea in the fifth century A.D. The snakes had supposedly attacked him while he was participating in a 40 day fasting. Saint Patrick ushered the snakes into the water by using three leaflets from a shamrock and explaining the Holy Trinity. The snakes are also a symbol for evil and the Devil, therefore their banishment is a representation of banishing evil.
It is said that people need to wear green in order to protect themselves from mischievous leprechauns who will attack you if you don’t wear green. The green “makes you invisible to leprechauns”, and others around you will pinch you if you don’t wear green to remind you of what could happen. While wearing green, baking and eating Irish soda bread with your family helps to protect you from the leprechauns.
There is also a reason behind the use of the shamrock as the symbol for Saint Patrick’s Day. This plant was called “seamroy” originally by the Celts, and it was considered sacred because of its symbolism as the rebirth of spring. As the English began to suppress the Irish in the seventeenth century the meaning began to change; the shamrock was used to represent Irish nationalism and their rebellion.
What’s more is that green wasn’t the first color used to represent this holiday; When the English took Ireland, King Henry VIII declared himself king and made a coat of arms for the Irish that was made with blue. A woman in blue robes also represented the Irish, and many depictions of Saint Patrick show him also dressed in blue.
Saint Patrick’s Day’s history and traditions were certainly intriguing to research! This holiday’s parades and festivities are always entertaining, so kick back, celebrate and make sure to wear green! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
