St. Patrick's Day is associated with green beer and leprechauns. What is the history of these symbols and traditions?
In New York, the first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in 1762, St patricks day flags are everywhere. This holiday was popularized in America during the 19th century when there were many Irish immigrants. The holiday pays homage to Saint Patrick but it is also about celebrating Irish unity, culture, and that's why the incorporation Irish symbols was made.
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Shamrocks (or Clovers) are used. The shamrock was originally called the "seamroy" by the Celts. This ancient plant represented the rebirth and renewal of spring. The shamrock was made a symbol for Irish heritage when the English took over Ireland. To show their pride in their Irish heritage, the Irish wore the Shamrock.
The green leaf has become synonymous with St. Patrick's Day, and all things Irish. To add to the celebrations of the day, the shamrock is used to decorate hats, streamers, and other decorations.
The roots of this little guy are in Irish folklore. The Irish original name for the leprechaun is "lobaircin", which means "small-bodied guy." Celtic folklore describes these little guys as being skilled at trickery and protecting their treasure. Legend has it that if you catch a Leprechaun, you will get three wishes in return for his freedom.
Although the leprechaun may not have much in common with St Patrick, because of its Irish roots, the leprechaun became a symbol of Ireland and was included in the St. Patrick's Day celebrations that honor Irish unity and culture.
Corned beef and cabbage are the most common Irish dishes we think about on St. Patrick's Day. Cabbage has been a traditional Irish food since ancient times. It's cheap and a popular spring vegetable. However, corned beef became very popular around the turn of this century. Corned beef was first introduced to New York by Irish immigrants who settled on the Lower East Side. They learned about corned meat from Jewish neighbors. Corned beef was popular because it was less expensive than traditional Irish bacon. This is why we enjoy a hot, steaming bowl of corned beef once a year.
Guinness, a dark Irish stout, is enjoyed all year. St. Patrick's Day is the most popular day to drink dark Dublin-based ale. Over 13 million pints of the dark Dublin-based ale are consumed on St. Patrick's Day alone. It is perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day because it is Irish-styled and made in Ireland.
St. Patrick's Day was originally a religious holiday celebrated in Ireland to honor their patron saint. St. Patrick is often credited with bringing Christianity into the country. The Irish Americans made the holiday a huge celebration in America over the years. New York City hosted the first St. Patrick's Day Parade back in 1762. You can see the St. Patrick's Day Flags being hung everywhere, as a tribute to everyone. Parades became a common holiday tradition as they allowed for cultural pride and unity. The perfect way for the Irish was to showcase their culture and traditions by marching together through the town.