St. Patricks Day: Legend and Celebrations

v>(green, white and orange) badges. Girls traditionally
Saint Patrick's day is a religious feast festival ofwore green ribbons in their hair (many still do).
Catholic christians having its roots in Ireland withA three-leafed Shamrock clover was used by St.
the celebrations gaining significance in otherPatrick to represent the trinity, like father, son
countries, particularly America and Britain. Just likeand holy spirit; also shamrock was considered
St. Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day (i.e, 17thlucky by Irish people. The shamrock was used by
March) commemorates the demise of thethe Irish as a mark of nationalism when the
revered patronised Irish saint St. Patrick. So, whatEnglish invaded the Celtics. Thus a shamrock is
is the legend behind St. Patrick which led to thegiven lot of reverence in Ireland. Leprechuans or
association of a festival in his name and how isIrish fairy people are also associated with St.
the day celebrated ? The story goes like this...Patrick's festival. In Irish mythology, a leprechaun
Originally born (in later half of fourth century) tois a type of elf said to inhabit the island of
Roman parents in Scotland or Roman EnglandIreland.
(there are conflicting opinions regarding the placeIn recent times, the St. Patrick's Day celebrations
of birth), he was previously known by the namein Dublin have been extended to a week-long
Maewyn Succat. He was given a Romanicizedevent called St. Patrick's Festival, encompassing a
name Patricius leading to him being known asspectacular fireworks display (Skyfest), open-air
Patrick.music, street theater and the traditional parade.
Patrick was originally a pagan ( a non-believer ofOver one million people attended the celebrations
Christianity ). During his childhood, he wasin 2004.
kidnapped and sold as a slave to the Celtic DruidsSt. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by the
who then ruled Ireland. It was during that stageIrish and those of Irish descent. A major parade
of life that his attitude and beliefs towards Godtakes place in Dublin and in most other Irish towns
started changing. After six years, he escapedand villages. The three largest parades of recent
from slavery when he dreamt of God giving himyears have been held in Dublin, New York and
instructions for the same. He was taughtBirmingham England. Parades also take place in
priesthood in France. When he became a bishop,other centers, London, Paris, Rome, Moscow,
he again dreamt of Irish people calling him andBeijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and throughout the
requiring his services.Americas.
So, he returned to Ireland with firm belief ofIn the United States, St. Patrick's Day would not
converting pagans to Christians. Despite beingbe St. Patrick's Day unless the Chicago River is
arrested by the Celtic Druids several times, hedyed green. Also, St. Paddy's Day has little
always managed to escape and was not deterred.religious or historical significance. Established in
He actively baptized and preached Christianity. HeBoston in 1737, it is essentially a time to put on a
even used diplomacy like gifting people in kinglets"Kiss Me I'm Irish" button, and parade drunken
and gifting lawgivers. For 20 years he hadthrough the streets singing a mangled version of
traveled throughout Ireland, establishing"Danny Boy" in celebration of one's real or
monasteries across the country. He also set upimagined Irish ancestry.
schools and churches which would aid him in hisThus in a nutshell, it can be seen that the legends
conversion.revolving around St Patrick have been inseparably
How is the Patrick's day celebrated ?combined with the facts. The day invariably
As a part of the celebration, Many Irish peopleevokes the "I am Irish" sentimentsalongwith
wear a bunch of shamrock on their lapels or capspatronizing St. Patrick for his services towards
on St. Patrick's Day, while children wear tricoloredIreland.