People in the US love to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every March 17th by wearing green, decorating with shamrocks and buying green specials such as green beer or green flowers. But do we know why we celebrate the holiday? Other than knowing it’s an Irish holiday, I couldn’t really tell you why this holiday came about or why it’s important to us.
We have St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate none other than Saint Patrick whose death was on March 17th in the fifth century (461). He is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain but was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He escaped but returned to Ireland and is credited for bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland. During the centuries following his death the myth surrounding his life became ingrained in the Irish culture. The best-known myth is the story that he explained the Holy Trinity using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock. Which is why we decorate so much with the color green and shamrocks for the holiday!
This has been an observed holiday for over 1,000 years by the Irish! St. Patrick’s Day falls during the Christian period of Lent and the Lenten restrictions against the consumption of meat were waived on this day so people would dance, drink and feast to their hearts content! Although there is a lot of Christian religion behind the origins of St. Patrick’s Day, people from all walks of life celebrate the holiday. Now that you know the history behind the holiday, hopefully you will be able to enjoy and appreciate it even more! You will certainly be able to impress your friends with a little history behind the holiday!
Gillespie Florists is Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, how about you? Let us help you set up your St. Patrick’s Day party or send an unique gift of flowers to someone who loves St. Patrick Day!
Thanks to History.com for the helpful information behind St. Patrick!
