Get your green out! St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated every year on March 17, is filled with parades and good luck charms. It began as a religious celebration, but has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture.
Honouring the Saint
St. Patrick is the patron saint for Ireland, but he did not always live in Ireland. Patrick, who was born Britain during the 4th century, arrived in Ireland when he turned 16 and was assigned to work there.
Patrick began to teach others the Christian religion after he had arrived. It is believed that he converted many Irish to Christianity, which is why St. Patrick’s Day falls on the day Patrick is supposed to have died.
Myths Busted
St. Patrick is a real man, but many of the myths surrounding him and his holiday are not true. On St. Patrick’s Day, for example, the four-leaf clover is a common sight. According to legend, Patrick taught using a 3-leaf shamrock. A shamrock can grow a 4th leaf. However, the four-leaf shamrock is regarded as a good luck symbol. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day by visiting a Pizza Restaurant Dublin like www.forno500.ie/
According to another legend, Patrick drove all of the snakes from Ireland. What’s the problem? The creatures were never in Ireland. Many animals that are found in Europe and North America do not live on Ireland’s island because the ocean is keeping them away.
Going Green
Ireland’s green, leafy landscape and rolling hills are a part of the reason it is called Emerald Isle. Blue was the original colour associated with St. Patrick. Some ancient Irish flags have this colour. Green became the official colour of St. Patrick’s Day in the 1800s, after the Shamrock, which is green, was adopted as a symbol. The shamrock and Ireland’s scenery made the green colour a permanent part of St. Patrick’s Day.