Why Is The Clover A Symbol Of Saint Patrick's & What Does It Mean?
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated every March 17th and without a doubt, one of the symbols that is most seen on this day is the clover, but what is the reason for it? Let's find out below why the clover is a symbol of St. Patrick's Day and what does it mean.
The Clover, Symbol Of Saint Patrick's Day
Displayed throughout Ireland every March 17th and also the symbol of the uniforms of some local and international sporting groups, the green shamrock inevitably refers to Saint Patrick, his forays as bishop, and a particular place where he drew inspiration from him.
Let us remember that Saint Patrick had been a slave in Ireland, after fleeing and converting to Christianity, he returned to this country to spread the Christian faith and evangelize the Irish, something he achieved and also with a rather peculiar method by using the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity.
Let us remember that Saint Patrick had been a slave in Ireland, after fleeing and converting to Christianity, he returned to this country to spread the Christian faith and evangelize the Irish, something he achieved and also with a rather peculiar method by using the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity.
Facing Tara's high king, Laoghaire, Patrick used the flower to describe the cornerstone of the Christian faith. With no little difficulty in making the meaning of "one and three" understandable, the bishop invoked his God to grant him the ability to make himself understood by the Celtic peoples.
According to the stories of the time, the Christian, lowering his eyes to the ground, saw a clover: he picked it up and showed it. The three united leaves of the Irish clover, different at the same time, turned out to be perfect to express the concept he wanted. The king was impressed and many people converted to the Christian religion preached by the bishop. At first, the clover belonged to Patrick, then also Saint Columban would have used it during the evangelization of Europe.
According to the stories of the time, the Christian, lowering his eyes to the ground, saw a clover: he picked it up and showed it. The three united leaves of the Irish clover, different at the same time, turned out to be perfect to express the concept he wanted. The king was impressed and many people converted to the Christian religion preached by the bishop. At first, the clover belonged to Patrick, then also Saint Columban would have used it during the evangelization of Europe.
So, Who Was Saint Patrick?
There are many legends about who Saint Patrick really was. The most widespread and accepted of all is the one that tells that he was a Scot who during his adolescence was captured by pirates to work as a shepherd on a ship.
He had a vision in which God asked him to bring Catholicism to Ireland, and when he managed to escape he fulfilled his mission. He dedicated himself to preaching the Gospel among the Irish heathen. He died on March 17th in the 5th century, and in 1631 the Irish Catholic Church declared this day a public holiday.
The first Saint Patrick's Day parade was held in Boston in 1739.
He had a vision in which God asked him to bring Catholicism to Ireland, and when he managed to escape he fulfilled his mission. He dedicated himself to preaching the Gospel among the Irish heathen. He died on March 17th in the 5th century, and in 1631 the Irish Catholic Church declared this day a public holiday.
The first Saint Patrick's Day parade was held in Boston in 1739.
Clover in Ireland
In this way, in Ireland, as I mentioned before, the clover has become one of the symbols of Saint Patrick's Day and of the Nation. The Irish shamrock is commonly used for tattoos, gadgets, and posters of all kinds. In addition to identifying an entire town, this flower is repeated among the brewmasters who intend to put their signature on the foamy part of the pint of Guinness beer. Its strength has crossed national borders so much that the shamrock has become popular in Irish communities living abroad. On March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day, you can see it everywhere.
Among other things, the Irish clover is registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization. According to what the Oxford English Dictionary says, the shamrock is a very old tradition with traces written as far back as 1726.
Among other things, the Irish clover is registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization. According to what the Oxford English Dictionary says, the shamrock is a very old tradition with traces written as far back as 1726.
And Why Is Beer Drunk On St. Patrick's Day?
Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated on March 17th. A festival that was born in the first half of the XIIX century in the United States by the Irish who emigrated to the "New World". Today, Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated by wearing green and drinking beer.
Where does the tradition of drinking beer come from? This is a religious holiday so until 1970 on March 17th all pubs were closed and it was an abstemious party. But things today are very different.
On March 17th, Irish Catholics were in Lent, the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. A period characterized by fasting and abstinence, in which the consumption of alcoholic beverages was practically prohibited. However, they were allowed to break the fast for Saint Patrick's Day. This is the main reason why, in its origins, this festival was related to the excessive consumption of beer.
Where does the tradition of drinking beer come from? This is a religious holiday so until 1970 on March 17th all pubs were closed and it was an abstemious party. But things today are very different.
On March 17th, Irish Catholics were in Lent, the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. A period characterized by fasting and abstinence, in which the consumption of alcoholic beverages was practically prohibited. However, they were allowed to break the fast for Saint Patrick's Day. This is the main reason why, in its origins, this festival was related to the excessive consumption of beer.
It was the church itself that encouraged the faithful to skip abstinence. In 1720 it declared that "it was out of control", and since then it has never been controlled. To all the places to which the Irish emigrated, Saint Patrick has grown in popularity over the years.
It is estimated that 5.5 million pints of Guinness, Ireland's traditional beer, are consumed globally, but on St. Patrick's Day consumption skyrockets to 13 million, crazy, isn't it?
It is estimated that 5.5 million pints of Guinness, Ireland's traditional beer, are consumed globally, but on St. Patrick's Day consumption skyrockets to 13 million, crazy, isn't it?
The Perfect Menu To Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day Like A True Irishman
Colcannon
A mashed potato and cabbage served as a side dish. The necessary ingredients are:
- 1 cabbage
- 3 potatoes
- 100 milliliters of cream
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- salt, pepper, and chives.
1. Once the potatoes are peeled, they are cooked in a saucepan with plenty of water and a pinch of salt. To check that they are tender, prick them with a fork.
2. The central stem area of ​​the cabbage is removed and washed with plenty of cold water.
3. Once the potatoes have been boiling for 5 minutes, add the cabbage to the saucepan and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.
4. When the potatoes are ready, remove them to a separate plate and mash them with a fork. The cabbage is poured into a colander to release all the water.
5. Put the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat and, when it has melted, add the cabbage. Sauté for 2 minutes.
6. Add the mashed potatoes, salt, pepper, and cream. Mix all the ingredients for 2 minutes.
7. Serve hot, decorating the plate with little chopped fresh chives.
- 1 cabbage
- 3 potatoes
- 100 milliliters of cream
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- salt, pepper, and chives.
1. Once the potatoes are peeled, they are cooked in a saucepan with plenty of water and a pinch of salt. To check that they are tender, prick them with a fork.
2. The central stem area of ​​the cabbage is removed and washed with plenty of cold water.
3. Once the potatoes have been boiling for 5 minutes, add the cabbage to the saucepan and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.
4. When the potatoes are ready, remove them to a separate plate and mash them with a fork. The cabbage is poured into a colander to release all the water.
5. Put the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat and, when it has melted, add the cabbage. Sauté for 2 minutes.
6. Add the mashed potatoes, salt, pepper, and cream. Mix all the ingredients for 2 minutes.
7. Serve hot, decorating the plate with little chopped fresh chives.
Irish Beef Stew
Making the typical Irish beef stew is much easier than it may seem. The ingredients are very simple:
- 300 grams of beef
- 1 cabbage
- 1 carrot
- 1 leek
- 1 onion
- Meat or vegetable broth
1. The meat is cut into cubes, removing excess fat.
2. Carrots are peeled and cut into cubes.
3. Cut the cabbage and leeks into cylinders and finely chop the onion.
4. In a saucepan, heat a little oil and brown the meat over high heat. Add the vegetables, mix the ingredients well, and season to taste. Cook for a few minutes, until the vegetables, begin to soften.
5. Cover with the broth and cook over low heat until the liquid is reduced and the meat is tender for about 2 hours. From time to time you have to stir so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- 300 grams of beef
- 1 cabbage
- 1 carrot
- 1 leek
- 1 onion
- Meat or vegetable broth
1. The meat is cut into cubes, removing excess fat.
2. Carrots are peeled and cut into cubes.
3. Cut the cabbage and leeks into cylinders and finely chop the onion.
4. In a saucepan, heat a little oil and brown the meat over high heat. Add the vegetables, mix the ingredients well, and season to taste. Cook for a few minutes, until the vegetables, begin to soften.
5. Cover with the broth and cook over low heat until the liquid is reduced and the meat is tender for about 2 hours. From time to time you have to stir so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
With these two dishes, you can have your own St. Patrick's menu at home.
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