ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!

     In the upcoming month of March, we approach an internationally known and celebrated holiday called St. Patrick’s Day. Have you ever wondered why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Well, it’s not similar to holidays that most everyone is familiar with such as Hanukkah, Christmas, or Easter. Truthfully, could you tell me off the top of your head why many people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? You’re in luck because you’re about to read why St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday, popular St. Patty’s Day celebrations, and its color scheme!

     The holiday that we know as St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year falling on March 17th. Saint Patrick was a Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. His death was observed as a religious holiday. He is credited with spreading Christianity among the land of Ireland during the fifth-century. On this day, Irish families would attend church in the mornings followed by an afternoon filled with joyous celebrations. The Irish have been evidently recorded throwing parades in the 1600s. Over a century later, English militiamen had marched through New York City in order to honor the Irish patron saint, Saint Patrick. This enthusiasm spread throughout cities such as New York City and Boston. 

     St. Patrick’s Day and its festivities continue to grow throughout America. Regardless of people’s religions or backgrounds, the Irish and Irish-Americans have proudly spread their enthusiasm to all. Patriotism has grown like never before when it comes to the excitement of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Some celebrations and traditions include preparing Irish originated foods, rocking shamrocks, leprechaun hunts, wearing green, and pinching people not wearing green! You can also jam out to some Irish tunes such as the Celtic chants or upbeat music played on bagpipes, or hang out at your favorite pub and grill restaurant to really get in the Irish spirit. I mean, if you’re up for it, you could always start Irish step dancing? I don’t know if you’re really in the spirit or not, but if you want to, you do you!

     As kids, most of us would go on countless hunts for the special four-leaf clover. Maybe you’ve found one or maybe you haven’t. If you were lucky enough to find one, then that’s some serious luck right there! St. Patrick’s Day is known to be considered the holiday of luck. The four leaf clover, also known as the Shamrock, symbolizes this special day because Saint Patrick was a Christian missionary who used a clover to explain the Holy Trinity of Christianity. Four leaf clovers were Celtic charms that were expected to emit magical protection and prevent bad luck in your life. The idea of this good fortune made its way through generational orations, literature, and cultural celebrations! PS: It’s also green which is a good added touch to the holiday’s color symbol.

      Finally, I think we’ve all been wondering something about St. Patrick’s Day! Why do people wear green to show their St. Patty’s Day spirit? St. Patty’s Day celebrators wear green to make themselves invisible to leprechauns. Leprechauns are little fairy creatures that would pinch any human they’d see, but they could only see you if you aren’t wearing green. Leprechauns look like little, unfriendly men that live alone in the forest who are yearning for their shiny gold treasure lying amongst a big pot at the end of a rainbow. People started to pinch people who wouldn’t wear green as a not-so-friendly reminder that leprechauns are right around the corner, ready to sneak up and pinch the “greenless” people.