I have to admit, I miss when my kids were in elementary school and would make Leprechaun catchers, which was a shoe box with a trap door cut into the top and covered with green felt and bits of shiny glitter (because leprechauns like shiny things), or the teachers would leave small footprints on their desks overnight indicting Leprechauns had been there. It is still fun to pretend, though, especially with all the cool St. Patrick’s Day gourmet gift baskets delivered to you loved ones as a surprise.
I got curious about this interesting day and found that St. Patrick was a patron saint of Ireland, who wasn’t actually Irish, but a British Christian missionary and this is a day that set aside to remember him as it commemorates his death. Wearing green is a tradition that started in the 17th century. People thought if you wore green you would be invisible to leprechauns. If you don’t wear green you get pinched as a reminder that leprechauns can sneak up on you at any moment.
Here are some interesting facts:
- It is the national holiday of Ireland.
- Corned beef and cabbage are the traditional foods to eat on this day.
- The three petals on the shamrock not only are supposed to bring good luck, but also represents the Trinity and is Ireland’s national flower.
- Leprechauns are small Irish fairies dressed like shoemakers (pointed hat and shoes, and a leather apron). They are unfriendly and live alone, guarding their treasures. If someone does manage to catch one, he will be forced to tell them where he hides his pot of gold.