The Symbols of St. Patrick's Day

Do you have the luck of the Irish? You might on St. Patrick's Day (March 17)! The day celebrates the religious feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and the anniversary of his death around 460 A.D. The Irish have observed the day as a religious holiday for thousands of years, traditionally attending church in the morning and celebrating in the afternoon. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds all around the world. Here are some popular symbols, according to the History Channel's Web site, associated with the holiday and the history behind them.

* Snake: It has been said that during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (Croagh Patrick) and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland. Actually, the island nation was never home to any snakes, and their banishing was a metaphor for the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the triumph of Christianity. Within 200 years of Patrick's arrival, Ireland was completely Christianized.

* Corned beef and cabbage: It is a traditional meal Irish Americans enjoy on St. Patrick's Day. Though cabbage has long been an Irish food, corned beef only became associated with the holiday at the turn of the century. Irish immigrants saved money by substituting corned beef -- a cheaper alternative learned from their Jewish neighbors -- for their traditional dish of Irish bacon.

* Leprechaun: Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies. They were seen as tiny men and women who could use their magical powers for good or evil. In Celtic folk tales, leprechauns were cranky, ugly souls responsible for fixing the shoes of other fairies. Known for their trickery, they often used it to protect their much-fabled hidden pot of gold. But leprechauns had no connection to St. Patrick or the day's festivities. In 1959, when Walt Disney released the film, "Darby O'Gill & the Little People," America was introduced to a cheerful, friendly leprechaun who quickly evolved into a symbol of both St. Patrick's Day and Ireland in general.

* Shamrock: The shamrock is a three-leafed clover and national emblem of Ireland. Although it is believed that St. Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the trinity, this idea cannot be proven. Its first written mention appeared nearly 1,000 years after St. Patrick's death. Also called the "seamroy" by the Celts, the shamrock was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the 17th century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish land and make laws prohibiting the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule. Today, shamrocks are still worn to celebrate the holiday.