....and 5 Other St. Patrick's Day Traditions
Each holiday has a set of traditions that started somewhere. Maybe those traditions are thousands of years old or maybe they're new traditions that you started with your family. St. Patrick's Day is no different - and Your Lake Vacation is here to shed some light on a few traditions associated with this holiday we celebrate each year on March 17th!
1. Wearing Green and Pinching People.
The association of the color green with St. Patrick's Day is actually kind of a fluke. The original color of St. Patrick's Day was blue. However, for several different reasons, the color green prevailed: Ireland is often referred to as the Emerald Isle, the Irish flag displays a green stripe, Irish Catholics typically wear green and of course, shamrocks are green! Why do we pinch people that aren't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day though? Rumor has it that leprechauns (who wear green) pinch those around them who are not sporting the same green apparel. This evolved into people pinching each other to show the disapproval we think the leprechauns would be showing. This is largely an American tradition, because - shhhh - Irish leprechauns of yore didn't even wear green!
2. Eating Corned Beef and Cabbage.
While corned beer and cabbage is a traditional Irish meal, eating it on St. Patrick's Day is more of an American than Irish tradition. It dates back to the 19th century, when most Irish Americans were poor and could only afford the cheapest meat possible, corned beef. Therefore they substituted it for the traditional Irish bacon. As for the cabbage, it's most likely included because it's a spring vegetable.
3. Drinking Green Beer.
Nothing's better than enjoying a nice Irish ale with your friends, but who came up with the idea to dye that beer green for St. Patrick's Day? More than likely, the tradition of green beer started with the Irish tradition of dropping a clover in one's drink and then downing it for good luck. However, the first recorded incident of beer being turned green occurred in New York City in 1914. It seemed like any other St. Patrick's Day celebration until Dr. Curtin, a Coroner's physician, presented his contribution to the festivities - a bright and vibrant green beer. The doctor said he simply added a drop of Wash Blue (a bluing agent used for dying fabrics/textiles) to an undisclosed amount of beer. To make green beer for yourself this year, just add a tiny drop of blue (not green) food coloring - because yellow beer and blue food coloring together will make a nice vibrant green colored beverage!
4. Legends of Leprechauns.
The belief in leprechauns most likely stems from the Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women with magical powers. In Celtic folklore, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Leprechauns were also known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much fabled treasure.
5. Stories of Shamrocks.
The shamrock was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the 17th century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. When the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule. Legend also has it that St. Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Christian Holy Trinity; however, there's no evidence that he ever actually did that.
6. Participating in Parades.
When it comes to modern holidays, which ones don't have parades? Parades have become a staple tradition in the majority of the holidays celebrated here in America. The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place in New York in 1762, when a group of Irish soldiers in the British military marched down Broadway. While parades and wearing green have always been a traditional part of St. Patrick's Day celebrations, the events will vary from city to city. For example, in Chicago they die the river green.
Your Lake Vacation wants to wish you a very Happy St. Patrick's Day! For all your holiday planning, from Valentine's Day to Christmas and New Year's, keep our vacation rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks in mind. We have accommodations for any size group - perfect for a small weekend getaway or a big family reunion. Give us a call at 877-284-0267 to book your reservations today!
For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
No comments:
Post a Comment