One of the most fun and ancient holidays have long been considered to be St. Patrick's Day.Despite the fact that it is home to Ireland, today it is celebrated almost everywhere, from Europe and America to the countries of the former Soviet Union.Even if your city is not planned any celebrations related to the triumph, then we can arrange a theme party with friends or colleagues that you remember.So, we offer to learn how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
origin and history of the holiday
St. Patrick's Day, the date of which falls annually on March 17, more than a thousand years, is a religious holiday.With 70 years of XX century, it also became incarnate and a celebration in honor of the cultural heritage of Ireland.As for the Patrick, he has long been considered the patron saint of Ireland, and in the story went that in the V century baptized the island's population, which is largely composed of Gentiles.
holiday symbol
If you ever wondered how celebrating St. Patrick's Day, you probably know that it is an essential attribute of a shamrock.According to legend, Patrick used this symbol as a metaphor of the Holy Trinity.In this regard, the congregation began to bring it to life.Today, wearing green colors on this day symbolizes the shamrock, spring and Ireland.
How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: Traditions
most important religious tradition this day is a visit to Mount Saint Patrick, is located in Ireland.According to legend, here the saint spent in prayer for 40 days and 40 nights.In order to ascend the mountain on March 17 in Ireland, pilgrims come from all over the world.
Interestingly, this tradition - in fact Christian - holiday time mingled with pagan.Thus, the commonly used attributes of the celebrations is the figure of St. Patrick.Also, it is often portrayed in the form of funny leprechaun - fabulous creatures guarding a pot full of gold.If you catch a leprechaun, he must reveal the secret and tell about where hidden treasures.But these creatures are characterized by high cunning and ingenuity, so easily fooled person.
St. Patrick's Day in the United Kingdom and other countries is inextricably linked with green symbolizing Ireland.So, this color is an inherent part of the holiday.And all the people required to dress in green clothing.In addition, Ireland was taken that day wearing the jacket attached to the paper or fabric crosses.It is also interesting that, for example, in the US city of Chicago that day the water in the river dyed green.In addition, in many countries during this holiday is often possible to treat ourselves and green beer.
How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: Beverage
Today, the celebrations of this festival, as a rule, were drinking mostly beer or ale.However, the Irish themselves have a drink in the traditional St. Patrick's Day is considered whiskey.Locals drank "glass of Patrick."At the same time laid on the bottom of the glass leaf clover, which is the custom of the Irish wore on the lapel of his coat and hat.Drinking before the end of the contents of the cup, shamrock thrown over the shoulder (left only).This interesting custom is called "drowning the shamrock".
Prospects
Mindful of the fact that this is a religious holiday, in 2007, the priests offered to do it exclusively ecclesiastical and prohibit passing on this day noisy recreational activities, accompanied by the heavy alcoholic libations and revelry.But as the celebrations on the occasion of St. Patrick liked around the world, an initiative of clerics in the near future are unlikely to find a response from the masses.
