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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

St Patrick's Day Traditions & Symbols...

Did you ever wonder why we wear green on St Patrick's day? Why a four leaf clover is considered "lucky"? And why it's called The "luck" of the Irish? If so, read on...

Shamrock
The shamrock as a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day is partly due to the natural abundance of clover plants in the country, but largely due to its strong association with Christianity. According to Robert Mahony, Professor of English and member of the Center for Irish Studies at Catholic University, legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to visually illustrate the concept of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) when trying to convert polytheistic pagans to Christianity.

"A clover is one plant with three leaves, but the three leaves are necessary to make it [complete]," explains Prof. Mahony. "[In Christianity,] God is three persons, but it's not the same as three gods." The simple analogy is thought to have helped non-Christians understand a fundamental element of the Christian religion, facilitating conversion.

It was through the retelling of this story that the shamrock became associated with St. Patrick and Ireland's conversion to Christianity. As a result, the shamrock is a widely used to commemorate Saint Patrick's Day, and in modern times has been appropriated by secular institutions as a symbol for the Irish.

Four-Leaf Clover
Although clovers are most often found in nature with three leaves, rare four-leaf clovers do exist. Finding one is thought to bring someone extreme luck. The folklore for four-leaf clovers differs from that of the Shamrock due to the fact that it has no religious allusions associated with it. It is believed that each leaf of a four-leaf clover represents something different: first is hope, the second is faith, the third is love, and the fourth is happiness.

Leprechauns
Just what does a mythical leprechaun look like and why are they so special? A leprechaun looks like a little old man and dresses like a shoemaker with a cocked hat and leather apron. A Leprechaun's personality is described as aloof and unfriendly. They live alone and pass the time by mending the shoes of Irish fairies.

According to St. Patrick's Day: Parades, Shamrocks, and Leprechauns by Elaine Landau, the legend is that the fairies pay the leprechauns for their work with golden coins, which the "little people" collect in large pots--the famous "pots of gold" often associated with leprechauns.

If you listen closely for the sound of their hammer you might be able to capture one. If you do you can force him (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal where he's hidden his treasure. Be careful! Do not take your eyes off him for if you do he will surely vanish and your hopes of finding his treasure will vanish with him.

Green
So why do we all wear green?

Probably because you'll be pinched if you don't! School children started this tradition. Green is also the color of spring, the shamrock, and is connected with hope and nature. Historically, green has been a color used in the flags of several revolutionary groups in Ireland and as a result it appears in the official tri-color country flag, adopted in 1919.

In addition to that, Ireland is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to the lush natural greenery found on the island. Says Prof. Mahony, "One of the things that strikes people all the time is how Ireland is incredibly green--it's very far north, but it doesn't get frozen. When people say that 'Ireland has 40 shades of green,' they are right!"

The luck of the Irish
Want to be lucky this St. Patrick's Day? Follow this advice:

1. Find a four-leaf clover. 2. Wear green (so you don't get pinched). 3. Kiss the blarney stone. 4. Catch a Leprechaun if you can.

In honor of the festivities we leave you with this Irish blessing: May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!

(*info from Kaboose)

11 comments:

Faye said...

RECHELLE,GOOD READING.I LEARNED A LOT.I WILL WEAR GREEN TODAY!HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY!

Heidi Pocketbook said...

Cool post! I am lol at the pic of the Westie dressed as a Leprechaun☺ My mil has a knack for finding 4 leaf clovers. Lovin' the Irish music, it's helping me wake up along with the diet coke ;-)

Your sweet little bunny enjoying the laundry is priceless.

ps Take your time at Amazon!

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Rechelle; Happy St. Patrick's Day! I just loved reading your post. I have really learned a lot, did not know much about some of it.
thank you for sharing it with us... Have a most Green day....

Hugs;
Alaura

Tea Time With Melody said...

I love the picture of the dog. Cute. I totally forgot it was St. Patricks Day and I am wearing GRAY, AHHHH!

The Raggedy Girl said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day
from the Raggedy Girl/Roberta Anne

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

I love the stories about St. Patrick. So many people are not aware of his work to spread God's word.
Have a great St. Paddy's day!

Michele said...

Hi Rechelle ~ thanks for sharing! I often wondered about stuff that pertains to St. Patty's day. I'm not Irish, but I'm dressed in green today!

Hugz,
Michele

Judi said...

Rechelle
This was a fun post with so much valuable St. Patrick's day information. I didn't now all of this and I've often wondered.
thank you for sharing..
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Judi

kari and kijsa said...

Happy St. Patricks Day!
blessings, kari & kijsa

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

Hey Rechelle!
I really enjoyed reading this....I never knew the 3 leaf clover had been associated with Christianity and the trinity. I love that! I will always think of that now, when I see 3 leaf clovers in my yard....thanks to you! I really enjoyed reading about St. Patrick's Day..... Though I already knew about the pinching that happens in school when we didn't wear green, I think we all remember that one...LOL!
Happy Birthday to your baby son! He's a cutie! Time goes by fast doesn't it? My youngest son will be 13 this year too.
That's such a cute pen holder you made and the enchilada's look delish! Hope you have a great week....by the way...I love the Irish music with this post! I wish I could go to Ireland, it's so beautiful.
Big Hug~

Anonymous said...

Happy St Paddy's Day! I'm so pleased to have found your blog.

Ali @ A Cosy Life