March 17th is the day the world celebrates Irish culture!
In North America, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with parades, parties, and general merriment by the Irish diaspora and frankly, everyone else! It is the day everyone can claim being Irish. There is much green beer, silly leprechaun hats, music, and drinking to be had.
In the United States, particularly New York has the largest and oldest parade which started in 1762! Chicago dyes it’s river green!
In Ireland it was traditionally a quieter affair however in the past few decades it has grown as a bigger festival holiday.
Shamrocks:
The three (or four) leafed shamrock is one of the popular symbols of Ireland. It is thought to be a magical plant to the Druids. The legend says that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
One thing I loved about moving to Hong Kong is that shamrocks naturally grow and flower here.
References and Videos
Kozariz, Jay. 2017, March 17. “Video: Watch the Chicago River Turn Green.” Curbed Chicago Webpage. Accessed March 17, 2022: https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/3/17/14958092/chicago-saint-patricks-day-river-green-dye-time-lapse-video
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Inc. 2022. “NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Since 1762.” St. Patrick’s Day Parade Inc. Webpage. Accessed March 17, 2002: https://www.nycstpatricksparade.org/
Fiddlehead Folklore Institute 