Facts about St. Patrick’s Day and why we celebrate it today

Lovely Crystal 4 Leaf Clover Pendant

St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow, do you know why we celebrate it on March 17th?

Who is St. Patrick? – St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick was born in Great Britain when it was ruled by the Roman Empire. The exact dates of Saint Patrick’s birth and death are unknown. The year of his death is widely believed to be 493. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the date of Saint Patrick’s death, March 17.

The Shamrock symbol of Ireland has long been integrated into the symbol of the United Kingdom, along with the Rose, the Thistle and the Leek of England, Scotland and Wales. So, on St. Patrick’s Day, a member of the British Royal Family presents Shamrocks to the Irish Guards regiment of the British Army.

Three is Ireland’s magic number. Hence the Shamrock. Faith, Hope and Charity. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Numbers played an important role in Celtic symbolism. Saint Patrick is believed to be sent by Pope Celestine in 431 to be the first bishop to the Irish believers in Christ.

Why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?  – Originally, the color associated with Saint Patrick was blue. Over the years the color green and its association with Saint Patrick’s day grew. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick’s Day as early as the 17th century. Saint Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the day.

Little 4 Leaf Clover Pendant

But what about a 4 leaf clover? Why is it considered lucky? – The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common, three-leaved clover. According to tradition, such leaves bring good luck to their finders, especially if found accidentally. According to legend, each leaf represents something: the first is for faith, the second is for hope, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck. Whereas, if you find a 5 leaf clover, it is considered bad luck!

Many people do not realize that there is a difference between a “flour leaf clover” and a “shamrock.” A four leaf clover is a lucky charm or sign of good luck. The shamrock has a strong significance to the Irish because St. Patrick is said to have used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity.

Shamrock jewelry has not become so popular just because of St. Patrick. The history of the shamrock is much deeper. The three leaf clover was once only valued, because it was a plentiful food source for livestock. The Irish began to associate shamrock with abundance and nurturing for this very reason. Today, it is rumored that if shamrocks appear in your dream, then it signifies financial abundance, success, wellness, and health.

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