Essentially, St. Patrick’s Day is a festival that is both religious and cultural, and it is based on the life of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Once a year, on March 17th, people gather to commemorate his life.
This is a special day when Irish people from all around the world celebrate their heritage by eating traditional dishes such as corned beef and cabbage while donning their best green attire. If a friend doesn’t show up wearing green, they could get a pinch from their other pals. You may also celebrate with your pals by sharing a pint of Guinness and some laughs. This article helps you to have the best St. Patrick’s Day by understanding key history, traditions, and facts about this day.
History
St. Patrick was a British native who was abducted by Irish pirates in the 4th century while he was only16 years old. Years later, he escaped and found faith upon his return to Britain.
He had a vision where a bishop told him to go back to Ireland and convert the local people to Christianity. It is said that he used a shamrock to teach the Irish about the Holy Trinity. In his writings, St. Patrick equated the three leaves with the Trinity: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
Traditionally, this was a somber day for introspection and prayer. Nowadays, however, the festival is a vibrant, multicolored event.
Traditions
Many people associate the color green with St. Patrick’s Day. Besides, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, many people celebrate by cooking and eating dishes with an Irish flavor. It’s a great time to sample traditional Irish dishes like shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage. On top of that, a pint of Guinness, the national beer of Ireland, is a necessary component of any proper St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
St. Patrick’s Day rituals now include elements of Irish mythology and legends. Leprechauns, cunning little rogues that dwell in the Irish countryside and guard pots of gold, are a major part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for many people. When you catch a leprechaun, legend has it, he has to give you the pot of gold or grant you three wishes.
Going to parades is another option for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Its first iteration of the famous New York parade took place in the year 1762. In that year, over 150,000 people participated in these parades, while today the number of spectators regularly surpasses 2 million!
Facts
St. Patrick’s Day is a huge celebration throughout the world. This holiday gives those of Irish descent the opportunity to honor their roots and observe the customs of their ancestors. St. Patrick’s Day is rife with interesting trivia that you might may share with your pals. The most intriguing facts are:
- The United States does not observe St. Patrick’s Day as a federal holiday as Ireland does.
- In the past, the color blue was associated with Saint Patrick’s Day, but today everyone thinks of green instead.
- Every St. Patrick’s Day, in Chicago, the city dyes its river green. They use non-toxic dye to make sure they don’t harm any animals.
- The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in Dublin in 1931.
- Corned beef and cabbage, the well-known traditional Irish dish, was actually an American innovation.
- While this might be seen as a metaphor for Pagan beliefs, there are many people who believe that St. Patrick was responsible for eliminating Ireland of all its snakes.
Make it a point of celebrating St Patricks Day this year and try out some traditional dishes of Ireland. You won’t regret it.