St. Patrick’s Day is filled with going to big, colorful parades with music and dancing, wearing green clothing, and having fun with family and friends! Besides its reputation, St. Patrick’s Day actually has a deep-rooted history and goes back centuries.
To begin, we have to understand who St. Patrick truly is. Historians say he was born in the late fourth century in Roman Britain. Believe it or not, he was not Irish; he was actually kidnapped as a teenager and taken to Ireland as a slave. During his time in Ireland, he worked as a shepherd and became very religious in Christianity. He was eventually able to escape and return home, but later, he decided he wanted to go back to Ireland and spread his Christian beliefs.
Since around the ninth or tenth century, people in Ireland have been observing a Catholic feast on March 17 to honor St. Patrick. Over time, the celebration of St. Patrick spread to many other countries, and its festivities came along with it. Though the United States usually has the biggest celebrations, places like Japan, Singapore, and Russia have all participated in this fun-spirited holiday, too! One of the United States’ biggest tributes to this day is Chicago’s annual tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green.
The most well-known legend of St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–using the three leaves of an Irish clover, the shamrock. That’s why the shamrock is such a big symbol of St. Patrick’s Day, as well as where some of the green color comes from! Green is associated with Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day because of its lush, green countryside. It’s also the color of spring, which is a time of new beginnings.
Another well-known symbol of St. Patrick’s Day is the Leprechaun. The original Irish name for these creatures is luchorpán, and it is said to mean “small-bodied fellow.” Since they add a playful and magical element to the holiday, they were included as fun symbols to represent the whimsical side of Irish culture.
St. Patrick’s Day is ultimately a holiday that blends history, faith, and fun. Also, it allows people around the world to learn and partake in these exciting festivities. No matter how you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, whether it is going to a parade, wearing your favorite green outfit, or eating traditional Irish food, you can now share the history behind St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family!
Sources:
St. Patrick’s Day: A Celebration of Irish Culture and Heritage
