The mental picture I get when I think of St. Patrick’s Day includes a man painted green with burning red hair, cheering with a green beer in hand, standing next to a green river, watching the annual parade.
That visual embodies what most of us consider American St. Patrick’s Day traditions. But where did these traditions come from? Is there really a reason the river is green? Are there ways to celebrate the holiday without a hangover and a couple extra potato-filled pounds? What about the family? Is there something fun, wholesome and alcohol-free to involve them in?
Wanting to learn about St. Patrick’s Day, these are all questions I asked myself in my search for answers to America’s puzzling St. Patrick’s Day traditions…
The History of St. Patrick’s Day
The man we know as St. Patrick was born as Maewyn, later known as the Patron Saint of Ireland. He was born sometime near 385 A.D. At the age of 16 he was captured and sold as a slave. After six years he escaped enslavement and took haven in a monastery in Gaul.
According to Wilstar.com, Maewyn found God and his faith during his six years of imprisonment and it’s what kept him strong. It seems it also became his driving force behind spreading the word of Christianity throughout Ireland, thereafter. St. Patrick died March 17, 461 A.D.. It was a Christian tradition to celebrate the saint’s work on the date of the saint’s death; hence, March 17 is recognized as St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in America in 1737 in Boston.
Traditions of St. Patrick’s Day
The Clover: It is said that reason the clover is a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day is because St. Patrick would use the three-leaf clover in his sermons to help explain the Holy Trinity.
The Green River: The Chicago River had the reputation of turning green. Not with envy, but with green vegetable dye! Holiday.net states the tradition began in 1962 when some city workers used the green vegetable dye to deal with some illegal sewage problems and noticed the effect it had on the river. They thought it would be a good way to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day if they completely doused the river in green.
The Parade: Many Irish Americans began celebrating their heritage and the death of St. Patrick with a parade held in New York City. The parade, the first one being in 1766, has remained a staple in St. Patrick’s Day tradition ever since, not only in New York City, but all over the world.
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in America Today
St. Patrick’s Day has a tendency to involve less than healthy consumption habits. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine offers many tasty, yet healthy recipe alternatives to the traditional fat soaked treats.
Many celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with their faith in mind. Susan Kramer from bellonline.com has a simple prayer for St. Patrick’s Day quite applicable to today’s modern day blarney wishers. For a more traditional set of prayers, churchyear.net has numerous to choose from. Family-safe fun? What about a Pot of Gold for the kids? Familyfun.com has the recipe to keep the kids having fun and still stay on the healthy side.
A St. Patrick’s Day eCard is also a great way to keep in touch with family this March!
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