Day 42
I’ve often wondered why the saying is … “the luck of the Irish …”? In my mind they don’t seem very lucky … snakes taking over the country, war raging on for centuries, cobbled streets where you are more than likely to turn an ankle with every step. Maybe Kermit was right … it’s NOT easy being green.
But there is the beautiful countryside, the alluring accent and well … Guinness!
I’ve never been to Ireland and I don’t drink beer … but the accent does me in! The closest I’ve gotten to anyone with a true Irish accent was my vet, Dr. Tony. I think for awhile I’d make up illnesses for my pets to just go listen to him talk to them/me!
And while I am Irish, by marriage only, I don’t count that as being really Irish. I’m pseudo Irish. But my kids are part – so, they can be wearin’ o’ the green as a true descendant.
And what I thought I knew about St. Patrick’s Day is pretty much myth and urban legend.
The actual St. Patrick’s Day started back in the early 1700’s as an official feast day honoring the Irish patron saint Patrick (c. 387-461). The morphed excuse to party with goofy outfits and parades that developed over the years was mostly of American origin.
Saint Patrick was not Irish as he was born in Scotland. He was kidnapped and put into slavery as a young boy – (somewhere in Ireland, so that’s how the Irish thing came into play). And surprise-surprise … NO snakes were involved except symbolically. While a priest he converted the local pagans and druids to christianity … and since serpentine images were used in their worship, when SP converted them he basically … got rid of the snakes. Who knew?!
Regarding leprechauns, according to Irish folklore, they were cranky little pranksters that you didn’t want to mess with. The image of leprechauns changed to cheerful sprites when Walt Disney’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People came to the movie theaters in 1959.
Leave it to Walt!
Also according to folklore people believed that if you wore green you would be invisible to these mischievious sprites and they’d leave you alone. If you didn’t wear green you’d more than likely get pinched – or worse – kidnapped! So … the wearin’ o’ the green was more of a protective measure than support of all things Irish … until it morphed into pretty much that, too!
The original holiday color was blue, way back when, but sometime in the 18th century it turned to green representing the lush countrysides, the nation’s symbol of the shamrock and the green of the flag.
Kissing the Blarney Stone is said to bring you good luck … if you are agile and can bend upside down holding onto what seem to be ancient handrails over a great precipice. No thanks! I wonder how many people have fallen off that ledge trying to get that good luck?
Some guy (no doubt) decided that not everyone could kiss that stone – so kissing an Irishman was just as good. Hence, “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” came into play and caught on … big time!
The shamrock is the nation’s symbol … but (again with the folklore) it is said that the 3-leaved clover is to symbolize the Holy Trinity (as it was used in St. Patrick’s teachings) … not good luck (as the 4-leaved clover is associated with).
And so, today, March 17th, is a day to be an honorary Irishman (or woman) … go wear green or a button or shirt that says, “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” or don a light-up shamrock antenna (always such a sophisticated touch to any outfit) and enjoy all things Irish.
If you’re in Chicago you can look at the river – dyed green every year for St. Patrick’s day since 1962. It used to be dyed for a week … now, more Earth friendly, it is dyed only for one day.
And today gives everyone an excuse to partake in a parade and enjoy a green beer. Or if you’re like me … you might just have to head down to the nearest McDonald’s for a McShake (which originated in 1970)!
In any case, I’m going to go cook up some corned beef and cabbage .. but I’m still looking out for snakes. Slainte!