When we think of St. Patrick’s Day, many of us think of leprechauns, parades, festivals, and green beer.  What this day commemorates is St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

There are a lot of traditions and symbols that are associated with St. Patrick’s Day.  To begin with, the four-leaf clover. These clovers are known around the world to bring good luck and fortune.  The four leaves on the clover is believed to represent faith, hope, love, and luck.  It is rare to find a four-leaf clover.  There are approximately 10,000 three leaf clovers to every 1 four leaf clover.  If you happen to find one, it may just be your lucky day!

What about the leprechaun?  How did he become so popular?  He is one of Ireland’s more famous characters in Irish folklore.  When we think of a leprechaun, a little red haired, bearded man wearing a green coat and hat comes to mind.  We also think of them as having a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.  Legend has it, if you would capture the leprechaun, they would grant you three wishes if you would let them go.

One small thing that many of us do to acknowledge this day is to wear green.  You may be surprised to know that green was not always the color associated with this day.  Blue was the original color for St. Patrick’s Day.  Since Ireland’s nickname is “the Emerald Isle”, green became the more popular color.  According to legend, wearing green makes you invisible and leprechauns can’t pinch you because they can’t see you.  This has evolved to us pinching each other for not sporting any green apparel.  If you look at the flag of Ireland, there is one green stripe for the Irish Catholics and an orange stripe for the Protestants.  The white stripe in the middle represents peace between each religious belief.  So, when you visit your favorite Irish pub this holiday for some green beer or some corned beef and cabbage, remember to throw on something green.  This may avoid you from being pinched by a stranger.

One year on St. Patrick’s Day, I would like to be in Ireland.  How fun would that be to in the country where it all originated.  I would definitely bring some of my Penless postcards.  If you haven’t tried the Penless postcards yet, you should pick some up for your next trip.  I normally send postcards to my friends whenever I go on a big trip.  I love sending personalized Penless postcards with a picture or video of what my family and I are up to.  The unique QR code writer allows me to attach my own message onto the postcard.  Penless makes sending and receiving postcards more memorable.

What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover? A rash of good luck – Author Unknown