What is St. Patrick’s Day About?

On courtesy of:
http://earthlites.blogspot.co.il/

Much of what is known about St Patrick comes from Testimony, (which was allegedly written by Patrick himself). It is believed that he was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, into a wealthy Romano-British family.

At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Gaelic Ireland.   It says that he spent six years there working as a shepherd and that during this time he "found God". After making his way home, Patrick went on to become a priest.

• According to History.com, St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated by the Irish for over one thousand years. Wearing green became popular between the late 1840's and 1850's as many Irish people immigrated to America.
  
  According to popular legend, St. Patrick was originally celebrated because he drove all of the snakes from Ireland (there were no snakes there). 

St. Patrick performed many miracles during his lifetime.  While most holidays celebrate the birth of a famous figure, March 17th is the day that St. Patrick died in the 5th century.

One of the symbols associated with St. Patrick is the three-leaf clover or shamrock. According to popular legend, St. Patrick used the shamrock while ministering to the people of Ireland to illustrate the Christian Trinity.

St. Patrick's Day incorporates everything Irish and those pesky leprechauns. Leprechauns are mythical creatures who stem from Irish fables.

 They are commonly associated with St. Patrick's Day, not only due to the Irish connection, but they are also talked about whenever there is a rainbow, you will find their gold at the end.

It is is a day of Celebration with a huge Parade, Wearing of the Green, 
Corned Beef and Cabbage, and best of all... Green Beer!

Did you know???

Saint Patrick's color was blue, not green, say historians. It can still be seen on ancient Irish flags. Blue was used on armbands and flags by members of the Irish Citizen Army who attempted to end British rule in 1016.

The use of green began during the 1798 Irish Rebellion when the clover became a symbol of nationalism.  The "wearing of the green" (clovers) on lapels combined withIreland's lush green fields made blue a thing of the past.