Snakes & clover; the history of St. Patrick's Day
Liz Myers
Issue date: 3/17/05 Section: News
Another well-known myth is that of the shamrock. The Irish believe that St. Patrick used the clover to explain the Christian trinity-the son, the father and the Holy Ghost. He used the symbol in sermons to teach the Irish how all three could be part of the same entity. It was noted that many of his followers wore clovers, especially on his celebrated feast day.
The History Channel's article on "The History of St. Patrick's Day" tells readers that the tradition of St. Patrick's Day finally came to America in 1737 and was celebrated first in Boston. The first parade in the saint's honor was in New York City, 1762; which also became the first St. Patrick's Day parade in history.
While the Irish take the entire day to feast, pray, dance, drink and listen to music, most Americans celebrate by feasting, drinking and wearing green.
According to riverdeep.net, the color green is significant because it is the color of Ireland (which is nicknamed the "Emerald Isle"), the color of the shamrock and the color of spring. Like red is to St. Valentine, green is to St. Patrick.
Other fun St. Patrick icons are creatures like leprechauns and faeries. As most people know, leprechauns have gold that they hide very carefully. The only way to get that gold is to follow a rainbow, lure the leprechaun with the sound of a shoemaker's hammer or just catch the little blighter.
Although many Americans take the Irish holiday for granted as another excuse to party, it is important to know we share in celebrating another culture's history. Without St. Patrick, Ireland would not be the precious culture it is today.
As the Irish say, "May the leprechauns be near you, to spread luck along your way. And may all the Irish Angels smile upon you St. Patrick's Day."
The History Channel's article on "The History of St. Patrick's Day" tells readers that the tradition of St. Patrick's Day finally came to America in 1737 and was celebrated first in Boston. The first parade in the saint's honor was in New York City, 1762; which also became the first St. Patrick's Day parade in history.
While the Irish take the entire day to feast, pray, dance, drink and listen to music, most Americans celebrate by feasting, drinking and wearing green.
According to riverdeep.net, the color green is significant because it is the color of Ireland (which is nicknamed the "Emerald Isle"), the color of the shamrock and the color of spring. Like red is to St. Valentine, green is to St. Patrick.
Other fun St. Patrick icons are creatures like leprechauns and faeries. As most people know, leprechauns have gold that they hide very carefully. The only way to get that gold is to follow a rainbow, lure the leprechaun with the sound of a shoemaker's hammer or just catch the little blighter.
Although many Americans take the Irish holiday for granted as another excuse to party, it is important to know we share in celebrating another culture's history. Without St. Patrick, Ireland would not be the precious culture it is today.
As the Irish say, "May the leprechauns be near you, to spread luck along your way. And may all the Irish Angels smile upon you St. Patrick's Day."
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kedes
posted 4/10/10 @ 6:33 PM CST
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