Annually on March 17th, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration occurs honoring the patron saint of Ireland. During the religious holiday, Irish families traditionally attend church in the morning as well as minor celebrations in the afternoon, including dinner festivities. March 17th, 461 CE, believed to be the date of the saint's death, has been observed dating back to the 9th or 10th century. Because of the longevity of the holiday, many misconceptions change the story of St. Patrick’s Day, causing myths to spread.
A common misconception of St. Patrick’s Day includes the idea that green has historically always been connected to St. Patrick. When asked what color comes to their mind first for the holiday, many people think green--despite the color not being involved until the late 17th century during Irish independence, History acknowledges. Ireland’s history has more of a connection with another color instead: “St. Patrick’s blue” titled for being on the coat of arms for the Order of St. Patrick. In 1641, when Irish nationalists worked to separate themselves from the English, Owen Roe O'Neill, a military commander, instituted a green flag with a harp, according to Mental Floss. Another reason for the green association arises from the concept of wearing green in order to not be pinched. Believed to have originated in America, the tradition states that wearing green will make someone invisible to leprechauns and anyone who does not wear green on St. Patrick’s day will be pinched. This may not necessarily be a misconception and instead more rooted in folklore and mythology.
Though decreasing in popularity, another misconception of St. Patrick involves his birthplace, which some still believe to be Ireland. Many students at Apex Friendship High School, believe his birthplace to be either Ireland or England. However, this does not make the saint British. The issue comes from the Romans’ relatively forgotten rule over England at the time of his birth. According to History, at the age of 16, St. Patrick had been kidnapped and brought to Ireland, where he gained prominence later in life.
The most popular misconception involves the belief that the saint brought Christianity to Ireland. Before St. Patrick began preaching in Ireland, Pope Celestine sent a bishop in 431 CE, with indications that some Irish people had already converted. An old legend tells that St. Patrick explained the Holy Spirit using three leaves of the Shamrock, a native Irish clover. This explains the correlation between four-leaf clovers and St. Patrick’s day. However, this belief has been criticized, as the usage of Shamrocks did not become a tradition until the 17th century, WRDW News explains.
This year, St. Patrick’s Day looks different, as quarantine separates friends from celebrating. In order to keep COVID-friendly, pinching that person who lacks green in their outfit may not be something possible this year. Though this year marks the second St. Patrick’s Day in a pandemic, many traditions have returned to normal, including the notable green waters of Chicago, proving that the spirit of St. Patrick can still live on.
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