Why do we Celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Irish Symbolism and Culture

Who was St. Patrick and Why do we Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick:

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. There is mystery surrounding St. Patrick regarding where he was born and when he was born.  It is believed that St. Patrick died on March 17 which is why we clebrate St. Patrick's Day every year on that day.  In Christianity, this day is celebrated as "Feast Day" in honor of St. Patrick who was credited with converting the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death, it is said that he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. He would use the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. The United States, though, is credited with making St. Patrick’s Day a secular holiday. When the Irish emigrated to the US, cities with large Irish populations would celebrate their Irish heritage with parades and other festivities. The first parade was held in Boston in 1737. The holiday's commercialisation followed a century later, and the popularity of the shamrock happened when Hallmark, the card company chose to feature it on cards celebrating the holiday. The shamrock is still the most popular symbol used in St. Patrick's Day greeting cards, wrapping paper, and any marketing in modern times and is often paired with the color green. Growing from there, we now see the Chicago River being dyed green every year since 1962, Irish and non-Irish participate in the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green, and eating corned beef and cabbage.

The Shamrock:

One of the first icons we think of when we think of St. Patrick’s Day – besides a leprechaun of course – is the shamrock! The Shamrock dates back many years and is directly connected to St. Patrick himself. He used the three leafed clover to explain the Holy Trinity in Christian faith. This idea quickly spread across the island and was eventually popularized to how we know it today. The four-leaf clover was associated with luck due to its rarity. Yes, you guessed it, the four leaves represent something as well – respect, wealth, love, and health. Although, St. Patrick did explain the rare fourth leaf as man or humanity along with the Holy Trinity, he generally used the three-leaf version as it was more common.

Celtic Symbols:

The next recognizable symbol in Celtic culture is the Celtic Knot or Trinity Knot. This knot comes in many forms and designs. It is said to have a multitude of meanings including eternal love, longevity and inter-connectivity of life. The never-ending design of the knot represents continuity. The Trinity Knot, also referred to as the Triquetra, was said to represent the Holy Trinity in Irish Catholic culture. Often seen with the Celtic Knot or the Triquetra is the Celtic cross. The cross is a form of the Christian cross with a nimbus, or halo, set in the middle of the cross. This is a typical symbol of Irish Catholic faith dating back many years. The design of this cross began as stone high crosses erected across the islands, typically in the 9^th through 12^th centuries. Since the mid-1800s the cross has almost been exclusively used as grave markers. Prior use of these crosses is assumed to just be decorated monuments, but it is still unclear.   

Claddagh:

The Claddagh ring is the traditional symbol of love in Celtic culture. It is often associated with fidelity, love, and romance. The three symbols that make up the claddagh are.

1. Hands for friendship

2. A heart for love

3. A crown for loyalty

The mystery and folklore surrounding the design are a large part of its appeal of the claddagh. What is known is that the clasped hand design dates back to Roman times and has always been seen as a symbol of trust and friendship.

Rings featuring this clasped hand design are classed as “fede” rings and have always been associated with marriage, love, and loyalty for thousands of years.

The Claddagh ring originated in the 17th Century and, according to common belief, was designed by a Galway goldsmith named William Joyce. But the folklore tells a different tale, and the romanticism of the tale befits such a symbolic ring.

The folklore behind the design is a romantic story.  Read it HERE.

The Leprechaun:

We generally see the leprechaun being associated with Irish culture because the leprechaun is derived from Irish folklore as a type of fairy. They are usually little men with beards, a green coat and top hat and they like practical jokes. The Irish legend began in the eighth century as a morality tale figure that warns against greed and get rich quick schemes. The tale evolved into small men, who were shoemakers, haunting cellars and drinking heavily. It is said if you were to catch a leprechaun, he would grant you three wishes in exchange for his freedom. They also say that the sight of him is good luck as well. 

Why not make some adorable leprechaun cookies to celebrate the holiday and bring good wishes to friends and family.  

Here is a simple leprechaun sugar cookie recipe to try.

Ingredients