How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: history and traditions

One of the most fun and ancient holidays has long been considered St. Patrick's Day. Despite the fact that his homeland is Ireland, 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 celebration in your city, it's quite possible to arrange a themed party with friends or colleagues that will be remembered for a long time. So, we suggest to learn about how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Origin and history of the holiday

St. Patrick's Day, the date of which falls every year on March 17, has been a religious holiday for more than a thousand years . Since the 70s of the XX century, he also began to embody and celebrate the cultural heritage of Ireland. As for Patrick himself, he has long been considered the patron saint of Ireland, and in history he entered the fact that in the 5th century he baptized the population of the island, which for the most part consisted of pagans.

Symbol of the holiday

If you've ever wondered how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, you probably know that its essential attribute is the shamrock. According to legend, Patrick used this symbol as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity. In this regard, parishioners began to bring it to the service. Today, the wearing of green flowers on this day is symbolized by the shamrock, 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 in prayer and 40 nights. In order to ascend the mountain, pilgrims from all over the world come to Ireland on March 17.

It is interesting that the traditions of this - as a matter of fact Christian - holiday with the passage of time mingled with the pagan. So, a part of used attributes during solemn actions is the figure of Saint Patrick. It is also often depicted in the form of amusing leprechauns - fabulous creatures guarding a pot full of gold. If you catch a leprechaun, then he must open the secret and tell about where the treasures are hidden. However, these creatures are very cunning and ingenious, and therefore they 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 necessarily dress in green clothes. In addition, it was customary in Ireland to wear paper or fabric crosses attached to the jacket on that day. 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 around the world during this holiday, you can often enjoy a green beer.

How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: drinks

Today at the celebrations on the occasion of this holiday, as a rule, they drink mainly beer or ale. However, the Irish themselves have a traditional drink on St. Patrick's Day whiskey. Local residents drank "Patrick's Chocolate". At the same time, a sheet of clover was spread on the bottom of the glass, which, according to the custom, the Irish wore a lapel of a camisole or a hat. Drinking the contents of the glass to the end, the shamrock was thrown over the shoulder (exclusively left). This interesting custom is called "drown shamrock."

Prospects

Mindful that this holiday is religious, in 2007 the priests offered to make it exclusively ecclesiastical and to prohibit passing noisy entertainment events that day, accompanied by abundant alcoholic libations and binge. But since the solemn events on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day fell in love with the whole world, the initiative of the clergy in the near future is hardly likely to resonate with the broad masses.