St Patrick's Day traditions.....

St Patrick's Day is a global celebration of Irish culture on or around March 17. It particularly remembers St Patrick, one of Ireland's patron saints, who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century.

(Irish Beleek brought back from Ireland)

A leprechaun is usually described as a bearded man who wears a green suit and hat. It's believed there are no female leprechauns to be found. According to stories, the leprechaun is a shoemaker who spends most of his time making and fixing shoes.

Other researchers say that the word leprechaun may be derived from the Irish leath bhrogan, meaning shoemaker. Indeed, though leprechauns are often associated with riches and gold, in folklore their main vocation is anything but glamorous: they are humble cobblers.

According to Irish folklore, leprechauns were cranky tricksters who you wouldn't want to mess with. They live alone and pass the time by mending the shoes of Irish fairies. ... The Americanized, good-natured leprechaun soon became a symbol of St. Patrick's Day and Ireland in general.

Leprechauns drink many kinds of beer and whisky especially when celebrating events such as St. Patrick's Day, the birth of children and weddings. Green beer and Guinness are some of their favorite beer brands.  

Around here it might be simple Gin and Tonics this year!

(MacKenzie-Childs glasses)

The Leprechaun can only be found in Ireland, in rural areas away from the general population. Burrowed deep in underground caves with entrances hidden as rabbit holes or found in a hollow trunk of a Fairy tree they find safety away from humans who seek to capture them to be granted 3 wishes.

As a child I was always looking for a leprechaun and often had my 3 wishes well thought out!

(cupcake by SuzzieQSweets)

Leprechauns love to leave chocolate coins in shoes around our house. Gold foil covered chocolate kisses also work great for shoe surprises.

The three-leaf clover, a type of trefoil plant, has been considered the unofficial national flower of Ireland for centuries. Irish legend says that Saint Patrick used the shamrock as an educational symbol to explain the Holy Trinity to nonbelievers as he converted the Irish to Christianity in the fourth century.

Why do we wear green?  We risk getting pinched! The tradition is tied to folklore that says wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who like to pinch anyone they can see. Some people also think sporting the color will bring good luck, and others wear it to honor their Irish ancestry. 

 

So, whatever your nationality, everyone is Irish on St Patty's Day!