One of the most fun and ancient holidays has long been considered St. Patrick's Day. Despite the fact that Ireland is its homeland, today it is celebrated almost everywhere: from Europe and America to the countries of the former Soviet Union. Even if there are no festivities associated with the triumph in your city, it is quite possible to have a theme party in the circle of friends or colleagues, which you will remember for a long time. So, we suggest learning how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
The origin and history of the holiday
St. Patrick's Day, which dates annually on March 17, has been a religious holiday for more than a thousand years . From the 70s of the 20th century, he also began to personify the celebration in honor of the cultural heritage of Ireland. As for Patrick himself, he has long been considered the patron saint of Ireland, and went down in history by baptizing the island's population in the 5th century, which for the most part consisted of pagans.
Holiday symbol
If you have ever been interested in how St. Patrick's Day is celebrated, then you probably know that the trefoil is its integral attribute. According to legend, Patrick used this symbol as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity. In this regard, parishioners began to bring him to services. Today, the wearing of green flowers on this day symbolizes the trefoil, spring and Ireland.
How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: traditions
The most important religious tradition on this day is a visit to Mount St. Patrick, located in Ireland. According to legend, here the saint spent 40 days and 40 nights in prayer. In order to climb the mountain, on March 17 pilgrims from all over the world come to Ireland.
It is interesting that the traditions of this - essentially Christian - holiday over time mixed with pagan ones. So, part of the attributes used during the celebrations is the figure of St. Patrick. He is also often portrayed in the form of funny leprechauns - fabulous creatures guarding a pot full of gold. If you catch a lepricon, then he must open a secret and tell about where the treasures are hidden. However, these creatures are distinguished by great cunning and ingenuity, and therefore they will easily fool a person.
St. Patrick's Day in the UK and other countries is inextricably linked with the green color symbolizing Ireland. So, this color is an integral attribute of the holiday. And all people must dress in green clothes. In addition, in Ireland it was decided that day to wear paper or fabric crosses attached to the jacket. It is also interesting that, for example, in the American city of Chicago on this day, the water in the river is painted green. In addition, in many countries of the world during this holiday it is often possible to treat yourself to green beer.
How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: drinks
Today at celebrations on the occasion of this holiday, as a rule, they mostly drink beer or ale. However, among the Irish themselves, whiskey is considered a traditional drink on St. Patrick's Day. Locals drank the "Patrick's Cup". At the same time, a clover leaf was laid out at the bottom of the glass, which, as usual, the Irish wore on a camisole lapel or hat. Drinking the contents of the glass to the end, they threw the shamrock over their shoulder (exclusively left). This interesting custom is called “drown the shamrock”.
Prospects
Mindful of the fact that this holiday is religious, in 2007 priests proposed to make it exclusively a church and prohibit noisy recreational events taking place on that day, accompanied by heavy alcoholic libations and revelry. But since the festivities on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day were loved by the whole world, the initiative of the clergy in the near future is unlikely to find a response among the masses.