More Than Just a Pot of Gold

ALL >> They say everything comes in threes, and this rings somewhat true for St. Patrick’s Day. While people will wear green and don shamrocks and joke about finding pots of gold this March 17, these symbols of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations actually have a historical (if somewhat mythical) past. Take the shamrock, for example, otherwise known as the three-leaf clover. The shamrock dates back to 1571, with a written reference – then called “seamrog” – in 1707. The shamrock was used a celebratory pin to be worn on the Catholic feast day held every March 17 for St. Patrick. It was also used as a sign of rebellion in the late 1700s, and during Queen Victoria’s time, was forbidden for display by Irish soldiers. The shamrock is the symbol of Ireland and joins together with the Rose, the Thistle and the Leek of England, Scotland and Wales, respectively. As legend would have it, St. Patrick used the shamrock to describe the Trinity to Irish pagans in an attempt to convert them – three leaves, one for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. Three, however, was considered a magic number to the Irish, therefore making it a magic shamrock. Celtic culture celebrated the sacrament of the number three, as it was sacred to the pagan goddess St. Brigit. According to some folklore, a different characteristic is given to each clover leaf. The first is hope, the second is faith, the third is love, and if you find a four-leaf clover, you are given luck. Shamrocks are now a staple part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, as they are a symbol of Ireland and Irish pride. They are also green, leading to another symbol of St. Patrick’s Day: the leprechaun. Leprechauns are Irish fairies, and according to the stories, look like small old men dressed like shoemakers. They say leprechauns guard the pots of gold at the ends of rainbows, but where did the myth come from? Legend says in the 9th century, Vikings invaded Ireland and ran through the country, plundering and looting. They buried their stolen treasures all over, and when they eventually left the country, the leprechauns found the treasure. Knowing the Vikings had gotten the treasure through less than honorable means, the leprechauns began to distrust all people and hid what they now thought of as their gold in little pots all over the country. Every time a rainbow appeared, the end supposedly led to a leprechaun’s pot of gold. According to the myth, you can also track down a pot of gold by listening for the sound of a leprechaun’s shoemaker hammer. Leprechauns are very tricky, however, and once captured, very difficult to keep in sight. An Irish blessing says, “Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree live mystical, magical leprechauns who are as clever as can be. With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green, the leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen. Only those who really believe have seen these little elves and if we are all believers, we can surely see for ourselves.” The last symbol in St. Patrick’s Day lore is the Blarney Stone, found in the Irish village of Blarney in a wall of the Blarney Castle tower. Legend says a king had saved an old woman’s life from drowning and so she placed a spell on the stone to give him eloquence of speech. Now, thousands of people visit the stone each year and kiss it, because the magic of the stone will give the kisser “persuasive eloquence,” or “blarney.” Whether or not you believe in these myths, one thing still remains the same: St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration rich with culture, traditions and folklore, and is well worth its several hundred-year lifespan. Don’t forget to wear green. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.