by Tamera Coble

Created on: February 21, 2010

St. Patrick’s Day is the annual feast that celebrates Saint Patrick who was the most recognized patron saints of Ireland. The holiday is celebrated on March 17th every year. It is observed on this day because it is the feast day of St. Patrick. And it is a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. It is primarily a Roman Catholic Holiday.

Saint Patrick was not a native of Ireland but is said to have been born in 385 AD around the west coast of Britain. His birth name was Maewyn. He considered himself to be a Pagan until he was sixteen years old. After living as a slave and working as a shepherd for six years, he became closer to God. He became a student of St. Germaine. He adopted the name and title of St. Patrick. He was successful at convincing nobles and inhabitants of Ireland to make the transition into Christianity. After his death in 461 AD he was canonized by the Catholic Church. 

In Ireland people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets. Children wear orange, white and green badges. Women and girls wear green ribbons in their hair. 

Many cities have a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Dublin, the capital has a festival march 15-19. It includes a parade, family carnivals, treasure hunts, dance, theater, and much more.

There are several traditions and symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day. These include the shamrock, four-leaf clovers, leprechauns, wearing green, the snake,  and Irish Music. There is also some yummy food associated with the holiday.

The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick. There is a natural abundance of clover plants in the country. The shamrock was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. They have a strong association to Christianity. St. Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the concept of the Trinity. 

The four-leaf clovers are mostly found with three leaves but the rare four leaved ones exist. Finding one brings someone all kinds of good luck. It differs from the shamrock that it has non-religious allusions associated with it. Each leaf represents something different. 

1. Hope

2. Faith

3. Love

4. Happiness

A leperchaun is a little old man who dresses like a shoemaker with a cocked hat and apron.     They are aloof and unfriendly. Hey live alone and mend the shoes of fairies.

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? School children started the tradition that if someone didn’t wear green they would be pinched. Green is the color of spring, the shamrock and connected to hope and nature.

It is noted that during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland. 


Music is often associated with St. Patrick's Day. From ancient days of the Celts, music has always been an important part of Irish life.  
Foods of St. Patrick’s Day include; Irish Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Potato Pie. 

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