Once again, Ireland and many parts of the world are bathed in green as St. Patrick’s Day arrives on March 17th. Typically, large parades honoring the patron saint of the Irish, St. Patrick, are held all over the island.
But what exactly is the significance of this Irish holiday? In this article, I’ll reveal everything you need to know about the world-famous celebrations.
Behind the Myth: The True Story of St. Patrick
Who was St. Patrick? “He was the one who drove the snakes out of Ireland.” While this statement sounds lovely, the true meaning is far less mystical. It doesn’t refer to actual snakes but rather to the “unbelieving” Druids. Patrick was a bishop and is considered the first missionary of Ireland, who introduced Christianity and thus displaced other faiths like the widespread Celtic religion, whose priests were the Druids. He is revered as a patron saint by the Catholic Church, earning him the title “Saint.”
In fact, Bishop Patrick – although most Irish people assume otherwise – was not Irish but British. His birth name was Maewyn Succat, and the story of how he became a Christian missionary may be even more remarkable than his missionary work itself: When he was young, he was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland, where he managed to escape captivity only after six years and eventually dedicated himself to Christian teachings after this traumatic experience. Subsequently, he traveled the country for 30 years as a priest, founding schools, churches, and monasteries.
The Significance of Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th
Why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on March 17th? It is believed that Saint Patrick passed away on March 17th in the year 461 AD at the biblical age of 76. From then on, March 17th became symbolic for St. Patrick himself or even for Ireland as a whole, as in the 1780s, he was officially declared the patron saint of Ireland. Today, March 17th, is celebrated as the national holiday of the Republic of Ireland.
The Tradition of Wearing Green on St. Patrick’s Day: Explained
Why do the Irish wear green on St. Patrick’s Day? Wearing the color green on St. Patrick’s Day is a more modern phenomenon. The actual color associated with Saint Patrick is not green but blue. Nonetheless, the color green is connected to his persona because the three-leaved green clover, shamrock, is also a symbol of the patron saint Patrick – he supposedly used it to explain the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) to people.
However, it wasn’t until the 20th century, when Ireland gained independence and March 17th became the national holiday of Ireland, that the colors green, white, and orange began to be worn more frequently to celebrate the day – these are the national colors of Ireland.
Traditional Celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day
Since St. Patrick was originally a religious figure, you can imagine that the traditional way of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day differs quite a bit from the events commonly observed today. It’s hard to believe, but until the 1970s, all pubs in the country were even closed on March 17th. Christian customs thus played a larger role in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day until then. On this day, similar to Fridays in Christianity, meat was avoided, and only fish was consumed.
How St. Patrick’s Day is Celebrated in Ireland
Today, the Irish approach the commemorative day of St. Patrick with little religious significance. Although there are still some traditional holiday services, they have greatly diminished in importance. Instead, the massive parades form the most prominent part of St. Patrick’s Day, along with the ubiquitous display of Irish national colors across the island.
Anyone in Ireland during this time will witness it: homes and streets aglow in the national colors of green, white, and orange, while the Irish prefer to wear green clothing and adorn themselves with a shamrock as a symbol of the Trinity.
Especially in the capital city of Dublin, festivities abound; starting from March 14th, anticipation builds with music, art, and theater. The highlight is the grand St. Patrick’s Festival Parade on March 17th. Bands from the USA, Europe, and Ireland march in their green costumes, passing through the historic sites of the city, including Trinity College and Dublin Castle, ultimately culminating at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Saint Stephen’s Green Park.
St. Patrick’s Day Around the World
Due to the tradition carried by many emigrated Irish, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day has spread to numerous countries worldwide, making the holiday well-known and cherished. Cities like London, Boston, New York, and Australia, among others, embrace the festivities.
Every year, the list of participating countries grows as a gesture of solidarity with the Irish people. This is exemplified by famous landmarks worldwide being illuminated in green light, a practice known as “Greening.” Landmarks such as the London Eye, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Empire State Building in New York, and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, among others, participate in this tradition. In some cities, entire rivers are even dyed green. For instance, the Chicago River changes its color to green with the help of fluorescein dye.
Want to Join the St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in Ireland?
If you’re feeling inspired to celebrate this special day, I highly recommend considering a trip to Ireland on Saint Patrick’s Day. However, since St. Patrick’s Day is also celebrated in other cities around the world, you can also experience the festivities by visiting the metropolises of the globe.
