Detail of St Patrick with a shamrock in a stained glass window at the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows at Navy Pier in Chicago .
So , that ’ s about where the facts end . Where St .
Patrick evolves into a legendary figure is in “ accounts ” of what he did while preaching in Ireland . Accounts of his ministry said that he combined Irish pagan beliefs with Christian sacrament , converting the “ sun ” worship to “ Son ” worship .
Some attribute the creation of the “ Celtic Cross ” to him . The story goes that he superimposed the pagan sun symbol on a cross to create it , therefore , making it more natural for the Irish converts to venerate . He is also said to have used the Shamrock , Ireland ’ s national flower , to illustrate and explain the Holy Trinity .
One of the most well-known legends is that he chased all of the snakes out of Ireland . Granted , there legitimately aren ’ t any snakes there but there never has been , either . Some historians suggest that the legend is an allegory for Saint Patrick driving out the Druids and their pagan religion .
A 12th century hagiography , which is literature that describes the life of a Christian saint , actually claims that he raised 33 people from the dead including some that had been dead for many years .
So Irish immigrants brought St . Patrick ’ s story and legends to the US when they came to its shores . Then , in the early 1700s , it was Irish Americans who were the driving force behind pushing St . Patrick ’ s Feast Day into more of a secular holiday . It was during this time that St . Patrick ’ s Day celebrations became popular in the US . In fact , the first parade for the holiday was held in Manhattan in 1762 .
It wasn ’ t until 1798 , during the Irish Rebellion against British rule , that wearing green became a tradition and was tied to St . Patrick ’ s Day . As the story goes , the British wore red so the Irish chose to wear green and a song was even composed by the rebels called “ The Wearing of the Green .”
Speaking of wearing green , how did not wearing green on St . Patrick ’ s day become a “ pinch-able offense ”? Cue the leprechauns . According to Irish folklore , wearing green makes you invisible to these mischievous little devils , who have been known to pinch those who neglect to wear green on St . Patrick ’ s Day . I think pinching someone that ’ s not wearing green on the holiday is a playful reminder that they should be , especially someone with Irish heritage .
So , whether you realize it or not , when you celebrate St . Patrick ’ s Day , you are celebrating a man who has become the very personification of Irish heritage . In the end , it all comes down to Irish pride and celebrating the rich culture that has played a significant part in shaping our own American culture . Sláinte !
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