On March 17, many people in the United States celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Why?
An early Irish missionary—someone who tries to convert others to their religion, in this case Christianity—was celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day.
According to myth, he “drove the snakes out of Ireland” referred to his conversion of the pagans (non-Christians) to Christianity.
The shamrock (or clover) became associated with him because he used it to teach the trinity, the Christian idea that God was three-in-one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The holiday eventually moves away from its religious roots and became to be connected to Irish pride. Since Ireland is a highly green country, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day became traditional.
(In many schools, if a student doesn’t wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, his friends will pinch him.)
The three-leafed clover was replaced by the four-leaf clover, which came to represent luck rather than the trinity. There are often parades in cities with big Irish populations.
People also drink a lot of beer, often tinted green.
There are several Irish foods available, including corned beef, cabbage, and soda bread.
The leprechaun is another symbol of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, along with the shamrock. These sturdy beings have long been a feature of Celtic folklore. Their original name, “lobaircin,” translates to “small-bodied person,” according to History.com.
Leprechauns frequently appear in parades around the world and performing dare-devilish feats.
Irish music, both modern and traditional folk, is frequently performed live.
Find a parade if you’re ever in the US on St. Patrick’s Day and visit a bar to drink some green beer. Also, remember to dress in green to prevent being pinched!
