Did you know that along with the rich traditions of St. Patrick's Day also comes a rich historical background that may fascinate you? The day has significant religious meaning and was originally a celebration of the "baptisimization" of the Irish nation. It has since, been changed into a more secular and non-religious holiday although the legends and some of the religious traditions and history still remain. It is now a day of feasting and celebration for the Irish culture and you can see it played out all over the world.
St. Patrick is also known as the patron saint of Ireland by the Catholic people. He is not Irish, but has been adapted into their way of life and now a celebration exists to honor him. Patrick was born into an english family, and kidnapped and sold in Ireland as a slave. He had a dream one night, while in Ireland that he could escape and go back to his family; he later did so. He then joined a monastary and learned as much as he could about God. After learning all he could, according to legend, he was told to return to Ireland and teach them what he had learned. So, with the Pope's blessing on his shoulders, he returned to Ireland to teach them about God. He converted many, including members of the royal family. His mission to Ireland lasted almost 20 years and he died there in AD 461, on you guessed it, March 17th.
Some symbols of St. Patrick's Day include:
The Leprechaun: The Leprechaun is a Celtic fairy and has become the number one symbol of St. Patrick's Day. According to legend, Leprechauns are unfriendly and unconcerned with anything but their gold. They are cobblers (shoe makers) and are said to have a hidden pot of gold. Legend says that you can find the leprechauns treasure by following the sound of his hammering on the shoes. When you find the leprechaun you can only force him to tell you where the treasure is by threat of bodily harm, and if you break eye contact with the leprechaun for even a second he will vanish and all chances of treasure hunting will be lost. You must be careful however, they are tricky creatures and can usually trick you into looking away.
The Shamrock: Also a popular symbol of the holiday is a three leaf clover, an ancient symbol of the goddess Brigit. The shamrock was also a symbol of defiance, and in some places it was banned. Three is also Ireland's magic number, and with that bit of knowledge comes a greater understanding of why the little three leafed plant is such an important symbol to the Irish tradition.
The Blarney Stone: The Blarney Stone is another popular St. Patrick's Day symbol. The stone is set in the Blarney Castle, and legend says that if you kiss it, you will be able to speak with convincing eloquence. The true magical properties and stories of the blarney stone aren't completely set in stone, but some believe a witch, whom the king saved from drowning set a spell on it to bring good luck to those who believed in it, and did so by kissing the stone. The blarney stone is in an awkward place, so if you want to kiss it, you have to hold onto railing, bend over backwards and downwards to kiss the stone.
Are you feeling a little more in the St. Patrick's Day spirit? Maybe you have some old gold laying around your home that you don't really use anymore. Bring that into any Check City Location or send it to us online using our Gold Pack and you can get cash in return. Bring in any unwanted gold, silver and/or platinum items to Check City and because we deal locally we can promise you a great return for your gold. We can give you 3-5 times as much as other gold buying places for the same items. Visit us today to get started with our great Gold Buying Program and discover your own stash of cash under the rainbow.
