Have you ever heard of leprechauns and three-leaf clover? And in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? All of these symbols are part of the Irish tradition of Saint Patrick Day or, in good Portuguese, Saint Patrick's Day.
Coming from Ireland, this celebration quickly spread across the world, first among English-speaking countries, such as the USA and England, but it didn't take long to reach us Brazilians.
If you want to know more about the celebrations of Saint Patrick Day do not break this post. We brought a lot of cool information, in addition, of course, many inspirations for you to make your own St. Patrick's party, check out:
What is it and when is Saint Patrick Day celebrated?
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated annually on March 17th. According to Irish Catholic tradition, it was on that date, in the year AD 461, that Saint Patrick died and became the patron saint of the country.
But, after all, who was Saint Patrick? Saint Patrick or Saint Patrick was born in Great Britain and considered himself a pagan until the day he was kidnapped and forced to work as a slave. Saint Patrick lived for six years in a regime of slavery and it was precisely at that time that he turned to God.
When he managed to escape and escape from slavery, Saint Patrick began to study in a Catholic monastery in France. It was there that he discovered his calling to convert pagans into Christians.
Upon returning to Ireland, Saint Patrick became a bishop and began to dedicate his life to the evangelization of the people.
Why use green, three leaf clover and pots of gold in Saint Patrick?
The celebrations involving St. Patrick's Day are full of meanings and symbols. The most traditional of these is the use of the color green.
Known as the Emerald Island, Ireland has countless beautiful green and natural landscapes. This is the main reason for using green in Saint Patrick's celebrations.
The three-leaf clover became popular due to the story that Saint Patrick himself used it in his clothes as a way to represent the divine trinity. Each leaf of the clover represents an aspect of the divinity: father, son and holy spirit.
The clover also had a special significance for Irish pagans. The plant was considered sacred, as it represented the beginning of spring.
The three-leaf clover also has another important symbolism in Ireland. According to historians, the plant became a symbol of Irish nationalism during the 16th century, a time when the British confiscated the country's land.
But it is not just green and shamrocks that a legitimate Saint Patrick's party is held. Check out the other symbols of that date:
Leprechaun (Goblin)
Leprechauns or leprechauns are a great icon of Irish culture. These little goblins are surly and full of magic tricks. Legend has it that they hide a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The Irish also believe that whoever captures a leprechaun will have three wishes fulfilled.
On Saint Patrick's Day it is very common for people to dress up as leprechauns wearing green clothes, red beards and pointy shoes.
Celtic Cross
The Celtic cross is a symbol of the union between Catholic and Celtic traditions. They say that Saint Patrick when trying to convert the Celtic pagans ended up uniting the Christian cross with the solar cross, forming what we know today as the Celtic cross.
Horseshoe of Luck
The horseshoe of luck is another element that cannot be missed in the celebrations of St. Patrick's Day. It is believed that when someone receives a lucky horseshoe as a gift, they should hang it on the door in the position of the letter U, that way luck will not "run" or go away.
Number 7
The number 7 is a great symbol of luck for the Irish, precisely because it is present in various elements of everyday life, such as the seven colors of the rainbow, the seven musical notes and the seven days of the week.
Saint Patrick's Day in the world
In addition to Ireland, the country of origin of Saint Patrick's traditions, other countries around the world celebrate the date with great enthusiasm (Americans who say so).
Over there, in the land of Uncle Sam, Saint Patrick Day is just not more popular than Halloween (which, by the way, also originates in Irish Celtic culture). Just to give you an idea, the biggest Saint Patrick parade in the world takes place in Boston, USA, bringing together thousands of people.
England also could not be left out of the celebration. The London Eye ferris wheel is all lit up in green on St. Patrick's Day. In Canada, however, it is the Niagara Falls that change colors to honor the saint.
And even Dubai has already joined the Saint Patrick party. In 2011 and 2012, the Burj Al Arab building was all lit up in green to honor the Irish.
Feast of Saint Patrick – How to decorate
Now that you are familiar with Irish culture and all the elements that are part of St. Patrick's Day, what do you think about organizing a party? We list below some decoration suggestions for you to be inspired, check it out:
Use typical colors
Ireland's traditional colors are green, white and orange. Therefore, bet on this trio of colors to compose the decoration of São Patrício.
Use them on tablecloths, napkins, cups and ornaments.
Don't forget the shamrocks
Shamrocks are the hallmark of the St. Patrick's party, so use and abuse them.
You can make shamrocks on cardboard, cut and spread them around the party. It is also possible to create curtains and panels with paper clovers.
Another good idea is to make photo plates with the shape of a clover. Clovers can also decorate straws, cups and plates, in addition to being present on napkins and tablecloths.
Balloons are always welcome
Every party goes with balloons, including Saint Patrick's. So, bet on them to create a voluminous and very relaxed decoration. The green and orange colors, typical of Ireland, are a good choice.
What to serve at the feast of Saint Patrick
For a legitimate St. Patrick's party you should bet on some drinks and classic dishes.
And when it comes to drinking, beer or green beer cannot be left out. To make beer or draft beer that color, just drop a few drops of mind liquor into the drink or, if you prefer, just a green dye.
Another typical drink of the feast of Saint Patrick is Whiskey. After all, who has never heard of traditional Irish Whiskeys, right?
For the menu, a very traditional option is fried cabbage with sausages. You can also bet on baked potatoes with herbs, Irish potato and leek soup, beer bread, pancakes and lamb stew.
It is also worth betting on green appetizer portions, such as those seasoned peanuts, for example. Another option is to serve cupcakes decorated in the party tones.
And finally, be sure to serve chocolate coins at the party. They serve both to decorate and to please the guests' palates.
Many decoration ideas for the Saint Patrick party
Want more ideas to celebrate Saint Patrick Day? Then check out our selection of photos. There are 40 images to inspire you to decorate and serve the best treats, check out:
Picture 1 – Invitation inspiration for Saint Patrick's party. The highlights are the clovers and the leprechaun.
Picture 2 – Biscuits decorated with traditional Irish symbols. In addition to being a great option for the menu, they also decorated the party.
Picture 3 – Table set for Saint Patrick's Day. The green and white towel directly references the date.
Picture 4 – Write down this drink suggestion for Saint Patrick: Irish coffee.
Picture 5 – Hand out brochures to your guests on Saint Patrick's Day.
Picture 6 – Cord of paper clovers accompanied by the letter L for Lucky, or luck in Portuguese.
Image 7 – Cupcakes decorated with horseshoe shaped jelly beans.
Picture 8 – Surprise bag for the guests to take home at the end of the São Patrício party.
Picture 9 – The wish here is luck in love!
Picture 10 – Who said there is no cake on St. Patrick's Day? Yes, it does and it comes decorated!
Image 11A – How about celebrating Saint Patrick's Day with a lot of class and elegance? For that, look at the look of the table set.
Image 11B – And don't forget to offer a detailed menu of what will be served for dinner.
Picture 12 – Bar ready to receive the guests of the São Patrício party.
Picture 13 – Little leprechauns hats for children!
Image 14 – At the feast of Saint Patrick you can not miss green balloons.
Image 15 – To get in the mood (and color) of the party, serve lemon jellies.
Picture 16 – May luck find you! This is the wish printed on every souvenir of the feast of Saint Patrick.
Picture 17 – Passionate that little felt leprechaun in the window!
Picture 18 – Here, the pot of gold has been replaced by popcorn!
Picture 19 – Feast of Saint Patrick intimate and for few guests, but no less decorated.
Image 20 – A drink in the color of Ireland.
Picture 21 – How about a tiara of flowers to decorate the hair of the guests?
Picture 22 – A great idea to do it yourself: garland of paper clovers.
Image 23 – Tray of green delicacies, in the color of the feast of Saint Patrick.
Picture 24 – What do you think of painting your nails green in honor of Saint Patrick?
Picture 25 – Coaster personalized for St. Patrick's Day.
Picture 26 – Sweets in the color of the party! Gorgeous and mouthwatering!
Image 27 – Table set for Saint Patrick's Day in green and gold colors. Beer is present.
Picture 28 – Irish coffee served with natural clover leaves, beautiful suggestion, isn't it?
Image 29 – Felt shamrocks to use as and where you want.
Picture 30 – Green paper ornaments for decoration of the feast of Saint Patrick.
Picture 31 – What do you think of a clover cake?
Picture 32 – Have a good day! This is what these Saint Patrick souvenirs suggest.
Image 33 – Write the word luck with large wooden letters and spread it across the house.
Picture 34 – Fruit cake: Irish tradition for the feast of Saint Patrick.
Image 35A – Many plants to compose this rustic and stripped Saint Patrick decoration.
Image 35B – At this table, each place is marked with the guest's name.
Image 36 – What do you think of making a shamrock using heart balloons?
Image 37 – Ginger beer to warm the body and soul during the feast of Saint Patrick.
Picture 38 – Invitation to the feast of Saint Patrick. The dark green tone ensures a touch of elegance to the event.
Picture 39 – Coins of… chocolate !!!
Picture 40 – Nothing better than real shamrocks to decorate the feast of Saint Patrick.
