all a bit of the legend of the Irish legend of St. Patrick first and how the day began in Ireland
rather that the modern day leprechaun version. Then I will continue with other traditions of the Irish on this day of St. Patrick's day. I also wanted to honor my grandmother on my mother's side she was a wonder lady and very Irish and my mum too. I think of both my mum and my grandma [Noni] always on this day and love and miss my grandma very much. As for my mum, I get to chat with her almost every day. I hope that you all will enjoy this post my dear friends & followers YOUR WENDY.. Well I found that St. Patrick was
born in London Britain to very wealthy parents near the end of the 4th century. When the boy was sixteen, St. Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his families estate. They transported the Saint to Ireland, where he spent six year in captivity. During this time that St. Patrick was in Ireland for the 6-years he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from the people. He was very lonely and afraid, so he turned to his religion for comfort and solace, and became a devout Christan.
So after his six years in Ireland, he was able to escaped, by listening to a voice who he believed to be God telling him it was time to leave Ireland. So St. Patrick eventually reached Britain and had another dream where an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. So St. Patrick began his
religious training, a course of study that lasted over fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission; to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and he began to convert the Irish little bit at a time.
|The Celtic Cross that St. Patrick|
Had tried to bring to the Christians to help
to be more received by the Irish people
incorporate the traditional rituals into his lessons with the Christians instead of attempting to
eradicate the native Irish beliefs. WHY? Well it seems that the Saint had superimposed a sun, which is a very powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic Cross, so that veneration of the symbol that would seem more natural to the Irish people.
Although there were a small number of Christians on Ireland when St. Patrick arrive, because most of all the Irish were practicing a nature-based pagan religion, which they have been for centuries. The Irish culture was centered around a rich tradition of oral legend and myth. When this is considered, it is no surprised that the story, legend of St. Patrick's life became exaggerated over the centuries-spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of he Irish way of life to some of the Irish.
There were other traditions of the day of the Irish on March 17.
There is another tradition called the Shamrock; what this is my dear Friends&Followers it is said that one traditional symbol of Saint Patrick's Day is the Shamrock.
"Shamrock' is the common name for several different kinds of three-leafed clovers native to Ireland. The shamrock was chosen Ireland's national emblem because of the legend that St. Patrick had used it to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity is the idea that God is really three-in-one; The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.St. Patrick demonstrated the meaning of the Three-in-one by picking a shamrock from the grass growing at his feet and showing it to his listeners. He told them that just as the shamrock is one leaf with three parts, God is one entity with three Persons. The Irish have always felt to be considered shamrocks to be as good-luck symbols since in ancient times, and even today people of many other nationalities also believe they bring good luck too.
Leprechauns~ Well we would have to cover the Leprechaun just a little bit. From what I have
heard from most true descents of Ireland, the Irish really don't like to associate the tiny Fae within the same day of celebration. Since I am more of a 3rd generation Irish I really can't say why, but I still thing it's important to included the mischievous Fae creatures. So here goes, the name leprechaun comes from the old Irish word 'luchorpan' which means 'Little body.'
A leprechaun is a Irish fairy who looks like a small, old man about 2 feet tall. He is often dressed like a shoemaker, with a crooked hat and a leather apron. According to the legend of the leprechauns they are not to friendly. They live alone and pass their time making shoes and love gold!. Also they have a hidden pot of gold that they guard and will do anything to protect their gold. It is said that Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemakers hammer. If the leprechaun is caught , he can be threatened with bodily violence to tell where his treasure of gold is! however, the leprechauns captors must keep their eyes on the tricky Fae and never leave their eyes off him, not even for a second. For that second is all the leprechaun needs to disappear. Why? well if the captors eyes leave the leprechaun for the second, the leprechaun has been known to trick them into looking away of just a moment and in that moment the leprechaun vanishes and will find his treasure too. Sometimes it is a vengeful leprechaun they might find bad luck after their encounter.
Banishing the Snakes~
I found this this tale which was probably as famous as the story of the shamrock in the legend of Saint Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland into the sea where they all drowned. Interesting Eh! it seems that in the ancient postage stamps there are many images of the Saint Patrick is seen standing on snakes, showing his conquer over the snakes. Which is a well-received message in, it is said that there are NO! SNAKES IN IRELAND BECAUSE OF HIS ACT! Even to this day! He alone is responsible for this happy state. However, very unlikely there were ever any snakes in Ireland in the first place! This particular legend of Saint Patrick is easy to translate as snakes were sacred to the Druids, their banishment reflects St Patrick's success at removing pagan influence from the island so thought but I don't it is true even to this day in my own opinion.
The Colour Green~
Well the color Green, ever since I was a little girl you always relate St. Patrick,s Day to the color green. And if you don't ware something green you would get pinch. Well I would always try the eye trick, Well I have green eyes from my mum side which is Irish. And I remember it would it would most of the time. Anyway back to the tale. It seems that the Color green for St. Patrick was not actually green! but it was BLUE! In the 19th century, however green became used as a symbol for Ireland. In Ireland , there is plentiful of rain and mist, so the Emerald Isle' really is green all year-round. The beautiful green landscape was probably the inspiration for the Nation color. Wearing the color green is considered an act of playing tribute to Ireland It is said that it also bring good luck. Especially when worn on St. Patrick's Day. Many long years ago, playful Irish children began the tradition of pinching people who forgot to wear green on St. Patrick's Day and the tradition is still practiced today.
These were just a few of the Traditions that I could find for
your all my dears on the Traditional St. Patricks Day
I have a few images and a Irish blessing or two for
you all my dearest Friends & Followers too.
I also have a fun link for you all to play a game.
My dearest sister Cynthia Groulx
Gave me the Idea!
[THE FAIRY LADY]
Gave Me Enjoy..