The word turns green as millions of people celebrate a holiday that all began with a dream and a kidnapped teenager. Every year on March 17, people worldwide wear green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, but history proves that this holiday is much more complex than what people see on the surface level.

What began as a religious feast that honored Ireland’s patron saint, Maewyn Succat (more commonly known as Saint Patrick), began evolving into a worldwide celebration of Irish heritage and cultural pride that people all over the world celebrate.

The heart of the holiday

Behind the shamrocks, parades, music and food lies St. Patrick, the driving force behind the March holiday. At the ripe age of 16, Patrick was abducted by Irishmen and he was brought to Ireland to work against his will as a slave. For the next six years, he went through many struggles while working as a shepherd. During this time that would naturally send anyone into a dark state, Patrick instead turned to God and leaned on faith.

Legend tells us that Patrick ended up being able to escape after he heard a voice in his dream, believed to be the voice of God, which told him that he needed to leave Ireland. After Patrick made it back home, he felt spiritually called to become a priest. 

After several years passed, Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary and began spreading a variety of Christian beliefs to people all across the country. At the time of his death, Patrick managed to establish churches, schools and even a few monasteries in the country of Ireland. These buildings left a huge impact on the country, and carry on Patrick’s legacy to this day.

Traditions and symbolism

Each symbol and tradition that surrounds St. Patricks Day is filled with deep heritage and origin. Of course, St. Patrick’s Day would not be complete without parades and festivals. Large cities such as New York host annual parades that attract thousands of civilians. The city of Chicago, Ill. takes the holiday as far as dyeing their river green for the day. 

Food and drinks also play a very important role in the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Beef and cabbage, soda bread, and shepherd’s pie are all foods that are rich in Irish heritage, and they add a wide variety of flavor and culture to the holiday.

The most widely recognized symbol of St. Patrick’s Day would be none other than the color green. Due to the association with the shamrock, a symbol of the Holy Trinity to those of Irish heritage, the color provides civilians with a lush and bright way to remember the holiday that resonates so deeply with their culture. Today, cities worldwide light up with green colored lights, clothing, parties and landmarks.

What does the future hold?

In the future, people of Irish heritage will continue to push for the evolution of St. Patrick’s Day. In recent years, the desire to celebrate the holiday continually seems to flourish, and the celebrations seem to be more focused on recognizing Irish music, language, traditions and authenticity. 

In order to promote the holiday and the cultural significance of it, many communities offer a variety of activities for civilians to engage in. A few of these activities include history workshops, Irish dance lessons and some cities even offer Gaelic lessons.

Whether you view St Patrick’s Day as a fun day to celebrate with friends, a religious occasion, or a simple excuse, the history behind the holidays deems to be very rich and impactful. St. Patrick’s Day serves as a radiant example of how tradition, hard work, and cultural pride can work together and create something magical.