Where does St. Patrick's Day come from?

Initially it was a Christian holiday that turned into a celebration of Irish culture without being the national holiday of the country. At the beginning of the 20th century, March 17th became a holiday in Ireland. St. Patrick's Day is often synonym of drinking parties all over the world. Until 1970, a law ordered the closing of pubs on March 17 in Ireland. Do not be surprised if on March 17, you come across a few singing, dancing, and staggering Irish singers in the streets, just because it's Saint Patrick's Day! On this happy day, all the Irish in the world gather in pubs to celebrate Irish National Day. Every year, St. Patrick is an opportunity for them to pay tribute to their beautiful country. Generally dressed in green, the traditional color of Ireland, the Irish immortalize March 17 by marching through the streets. They also take the opportunity to taste traditional dishes, toast with beer, dance and sing out loud! But the Irish are not the only ones to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This holiday has become so popular that it brings together all the non-Irish party-goers! As we say: the more, the merrier!! 

Who is St Patrick?

Before being Irish National Day, March 17 is the first day of St. Patrick's Day, the saint patron of Ireland. According to the Catholic religion, St. Patrick is a priest who converted Celtic Ireland to Christianity in the fifth century. It is said that he evangelized the country by explaining to the citizens the precepts of the Christian religion. You will notice that Saint Patrick is often associated with clover.  Indeed, legends say that he used it to teach people the concept of the Holy Trinity: a leaf for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Since then, clover is the national emblem of Ireland and the Irish wear it to their buttonhole on Saint Patrick's Day!

The Leprechauns

Many legends embellish the myth of St. Patrick's Day ... Among them, children loves stories about leprechauns of the forest, called Leprechauns. These small creatures looks like mischievous goblins, they measure 90 cm, have a red beard, are dressed all in green, wear a shoemaker's apron and drink dudeens (a liquor they make). These guys are often portrayed as solitary muggers not very popular because of their chronic bad mood. Very eager, the Leprechaun loves money and keeps precious dozens of cauldrons filled with gold, hidden in bushes. He is wary of humans, who for him are greedy and imbecile beings! 

And why clover?

Legend has it that St. Patrick used clover to explain the complex concept of the Holy Trinity during one of his sermons. The story is enriched during the evangelization by Patrick, during a sermon remained famous. It is reported that to instruct the natives about the Trinity, he took a clover and compared him to the God of the Christians. One and comprising at the same time three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This image, anchored in ancestral symbolism, has remained so strong that it has become the emblem of the country.