"Something old, something new; something borrowed, something blue; and an old Irish penny in your shoe." I can't count the number of brides that have marched down the aisle with these five items on their person. It's just tradition. Traditions are usually hundreds of years old and are symbolic reminders of our heritage. As we celebrate St. Patrick's Day today, we do so deeply rooted in Irish traditions. Generations come and go and so does our cultural lifestyle along with the many traditions that are connected to it. Ireland has dramatically changed over the years, and many of the older traditions are no longer in existence.

One of the more endearing traditions that is still celebrated is the Irish wedding. Before the days of St. Patrick (the patron saint who ran all the snakes off the Emerald Isle), couples who wished to show commitment to each other would gather before friends to participate in the ritual known as hand fasting. Usually the celebration would occur around harvest time during the first part of August. They had the choice of joining together "'til death do us part" or to be together in the afterlife or if after a year they still wished to remain married they would renew these vows.


During the ritual the couple held hands, right hand in right hand and left hand in left with their wrists crossed. Ribbon was then wrapped around the wrists in a figure eight to represent infinity. It is said that the expression "tying the knot" came from this ritual. Even though this ritual was tradition it is seldom practiced today.

Once the church has been booked and the wedding date chosen, the bride-to-be chooses her attendants and her dress. Traditionally the bride wears a garland of lavender mixed with other wild flowers in her hair. Whatever she chooses, she must never put her own veil or headdress on, because it is considered to be very unlucky. The typical Irish wedding is a beautiful celebration with the bride dressed in the traditional white gown and the groom dressed in a kilt made from the tartan of his clan.

The Irish wedding band is called the Claddagh ring that consists of two hands holding a crowned heart. Young women who are engaged or married wear the ring with the tips of crown facing outward; if a young woman is not romantically involved the tips should face the wrist indicating that she is approachable.

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by millions around the globe. Although it was traditionally celebrated as an important religious day to honor the teaching of Christianity by St. Patrick, it has become a day of parades, parties and the "wearing of the green." Irish blessings still abound and are among one of my favorite things about St. Patrick's Day.

At least I can be Irish one day out of the year. Whether or not you are an Irish bride or just lucky to be Irish for today, the following Irish blessing is just for you:

"May there always be work for your hands to do

May your purse always hold a coin or two;

May the sun always shine on your windowpane;

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;

May the hand of a friend always be near you;

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."