The Shamrock: a 3-Leaf Clover, is Ireland's most recognized National Symbol.
In the 5th century when St. Patrick came to convert the Irish information on christianity could only be spread across the realm from one storyteller, or seanchaí, pronounced shan-a-key to the other. In mind of this St. Patrick used to the Shamrock to explain the concept of the holy trinity - that God was composed of three entities - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - yet each entitiy was part of the other just like the shamrock has three leaves but a single stem.
As St. Patrick continued to use the Shamrock in his conversion of the irish it grew, through story telling to be seen as a holy plant, just as he was seen as a holy man. It is for this reason that the Shamrock is worn on the St. Patrick’s day and all other special occasions to celebrate his work and to bring 'a bit o'luck' to the irish and all their children wherever they may be.
Before the arrival of the Christians to Ireland the plant was sacred to the Irish Druids because the three leaves formed a triad. The word shamrock comes from the Irish word seamróg or seamair óg, meaning "little clover".
The tradition of wearing Shamrock on Saint Patrick's Day can be traced back to the early 1700s. For good luck, it's usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride, and also in the boutonniere of the groom.
In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion and began to be strongly associated with Irish identity. Apparently anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. People even ate the shamrock in times of famine ... READ MORE ...
In the 5th century when St. Patrick came to convert the Irish information on christianity could only be spread across the realm from one storyteller, or seanchaí, pronounced shan-a-key to the other. In mind of this St. Patrick used to the Shamrock to explain the concept of the holy trinity - that God was composed of three entities - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - yet each entitiy was part of the other just like the shamrock has three leaves but a single stem.As St. Patrick continued to use the Shamrock in his conversion of the irish it grew, through story telling to be seen as a holy plant, just as he was seen as a holy man. It is for this reason that the Shamrock is worn on the St. Patrick’s day and all other special occasions to celebrate his work and to bring 'a bit o'luck' to the irish and all their children wherever they may be.
Before the arrival of the Christians to Ireland the plant was sacred to the Irish Druids because the three leaves formed a triad. The word shamrock comes from the Irish word seamróg or seamair óg, meaning "little clover".
The tradition of wearing Shamrock on Saint Patrick's Day can be traced back to the early 1700s. For good luck, it's usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride, and also in the boutonniere of the groom.
In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion and began to be strongly associated with Irish identity. Apparently anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. People even ate the shamrock in times of famine ... READ MORE ...
