St. Patrick's Day Celebrated Accross the World

 

 

The London Eye Shrouded in Green Light on St Patrick's Day, March 17, 2011 (Getty Images)

 What connects the four leaf Clover, corned beef and cabbage, Guinness, and the catholic church? Add March 17th to the celebration and you get St. Patrick's day.

It started hundreds of years ago as a religious holiday in Ireland, St. Patrick's day has now become a huge celebration of Irish culture. The holiday is also celebrated in Great Britain, the US, Australia and New Zealand, thanks to Irish immigrants who spread the tradition.

Green clothes are the day's fashion, symbolizing the green shamrock- Ireland’s national's symbol. According to the legend, the shamrock was used by St Patrick to teach the Irish people about the holy trinity of mother, son and the holy spirit. He is considered by the church till this day, to the patron Saint of Ireland.

The traditions took the three leaf clover or Shamrock a step further to a 4 leaf clover – a very rear find. The 3 leaves stand for faith hope and love and the fourth leaf stands for luck.

Not much of the religious day's  character remains in modern times considering the massive consumption of alcohol on St Patrick's day –especially Guinness. It goes together with the Irish blessing Slainte (good health in Irish), Erin Go Bragh (Ireland Forever), special Irish sayings such as "May the Lord keep you in His hand and never close His fist too tight,"  "May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past," and more.

Colorful parades are held in many counties around the world, one of the biggest is held in New York City –and attracts around 150,000 people every year. Monuments across the world are also lit green to mark the occasion, including the Empire State Building in NYC and the London eye in the UK Capital.

via google.com