The StickerTalk Explores St. Patrick’s Day

A day dedicated to Ireland’s vibrant culture, it comes as no surprise that St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by a wide variety of other nations. While most people are moderately familiar with the holiday’s quirky traditions, St. Patrick’s Day customs are deeply rooted in Irish religion and convention. In this biweekly addition of The StickerTalk, we have sifted through the yellowed pages of history to present a concise examination of the traditions and beliefs behind St. Patrick’s Day.

Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

As its name implies, this holiday honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick is credited with popularizing Christianity in Ireland, essentially abolishing the pagan lifestyle of the native Irish people.

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?

Oddly, blue was the first color to be associated with St. Patrick. However, as the saint became an easily recognizable symbol of the Emerald Isle, green soon became the “official” color of the holiday. St. Patrick’s use of the shamrock to explain the Trinity may have also contributed to the use of green to represent this celebration.

What foods are traditionally eaten on St. Patrick’s Day?

Corned beef and cabbage typically appear on reveler’s plates on St. Patrick’s Day. Irish bacon was originally consumed on this holiday, but impoverished Irish immigrants found corned beef to be an affordable and tasty substitute.