March 17, the feast day of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to
Ireland and reputedly chased away all of the country’s snakes in the 5th century. People
associate the shamrock with St. Patrick, as he used it to explain the concept of the divine
trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).
Primarily a religious holiday in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has become a time to
demonstrate pride in Irish heritage for those living in the United States. In the mid- to late
1800s, lavish St. Patrick’s Day parades became common in large American cities.
Parades still provide the focal point of many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. In
Washington, DC, members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians lay a wreath on the grave
of John F.Kennedy. People of both Irish and non-Irish descent wear green on this
holiday; children who do not wear green may get pinches from their classmates.
Shamrocks and shamrock-shaped pins often appear on this day. It is traditional for many
bars to offer green beer and for bakeries to sell greeniced cakes. Dinners of corned beef
and cabbage abound on St. Patrick’s Day; one can also find “green eggs and ham”
breakfasts. One original ethnic hybrid is the green “leprecohen bagel,” sold in New York
City.
Various planting traditions connected with St. Patrick’s Day indicate that this is a
good day to begin sowing crops. Potatoes, peas, cabbage, or tomatoes planted on March
17 will make their owner prosperous. And, of course, a four-leafed clover discovered on
St. Patrick’s Day will bring good luck all year.
Elizabeth Tucker
References
Cohen, Hennig, and Tristram Coffin, eds. 1987. The Folklore of American Holidays. Detroit: Gale,
pp. 109–112.
Dorson, Richard M. 1964 Buyingthe Wind: Regional Folklore in the United States. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, p. 123.
Gilbert, Elizabeth Rees. 1982. Fairs and Festivals, ed. Peter Seitel. Washington, DC: Smithsonian
Institution, pp. 44–45.