On March 17 the Irish live a very special holiday, as it is nothing less than their patron’s day. This is the date Saint Patrick died but it is also the day Ireland achieved its independence. A coincidence that makes the Irish have a double reason to celebrate and feel very proud and festive. One of the characteristics of this event is that everything is colored green. But why? doWhy is everything green on St. Patrick’s Day?? We explain it to you in this post.
Origin and history of Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Christian priest who was born in the year 400 and was preaching in Ireland. His real name was Maewyn Succat, son of Roman parents (or so it is said) and was born in Scotland, despite the fact that he felt a very strong connection to Ireland. This link, however, arose in an unlikely way as, it is said, he was kidnapped by pirates when he was young and taken to Ireland to work as a shepherd. Until one day he manages to run away and became a priest, without leaving Ireland. He became a bishop and played a very important role in Irish Christianity, as he created churches, colleges and monasteries.
Thus, on his death, which coincides in date (March 17), with the day that Ireland managed to become an independent country, it was decided to honor him by naming him patron saint. This appointment was official in the year 1780. Such is the veneration for the saint, that in 1800 his color was added to the flag. So this happened to show the red saltire.
There are many myths and legends around St. Patrick. Many of them actually have little truth but are deeply rooted in the Irish mentality that they are taken for true. In any case, the importance of this saint and his leading role in Ireland should not be denied.
Why everything is green on St. Patrick’s
The story of Saint Patrick may not differ much from that of other patron saints anywhere in the world. But if there is a detail that catches our attention, it is the fact that on his day, everything turns green. Why is this happening? We have seen that the saint is identified with a red color saltire. At no time have we talked about green, until now.
In fact, the color with which Saint Patrick is identified was not green, but blue. Then? The tradition of color is related to another very popular element in this festivity, which is none other than the clover. Yes, the clover, that green plant with 3 or 4 leaves (the latter is considered a symbol of good luck, because the four-leaf clover is rare to find), that many people carry as amulets to succeed in their wishes and is considered a good omen.
We continue with the unknowns: what does a saint and, specifically Saint Patrick, have to do with the clover. Again we turn to the legends. According to the legend of Saint Patrick, the bishop carried a clover to explain to the faithful about the Holy Trinity. The priest explained that the three leaf clover they were the simile of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that the Bible speaks of. Three entities in one or, what is the same, three parts of the same flower.
That is why for the Irish the clover is such a special element, especially for Christians. It is common for famous dates, such as Saint Patrick, to have shamrocks on hand and, of course, wear green clothes. Thus, the color of the clover is associated with Ireland.
But there are more legends that attach importance to the saint. For example, they say that drove the snakes out of ireland. Although the true story could be that it was not about snakes as such, but that the so-called “snakes” were the druids of the area who fled after the priest began to preach the Christian truth about him. On the other hand, there are those who describe the saint himself as a “magician”, maintaining the version of the snakes but finding the more “earthly” and scientific explanation that these animals left due to bad weather.
In any case, the people of Ireland have been wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day for over 300 years, so it’s a long-standing tradition. If we add party and beer, who could resist? The paradox is that until the year 1970 in Ireland you could not drink alcohol. Perhaps for this reason, the Irish today want to get even with so much repression and take advantage of the date to enjoy their beer to the fullest.
But Saint Patrick is not only celebrated in Ireland, but many parts of the world join the celebration by organizing various events. Among them Spain, where some cities like Madrid, illuminate their moments in green on March 17.