Some Facts about St. Patrick's Day

• Saint Patrick used the three-leafed clover (or shamrock) to explain the concept of holy Trinity . To this day, shamrocks and shillelaghs are well known symbols of St. Patrick's Day.
  

• Even before the Christian era, the Shamrock was considered a sacred plant of the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad.
  

• The harp is the symbol of Ireland. The color green is also commonly associated with Ireland, also known as the "Emerald Isle".
  

• Legends say leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes. Leprechauns possess a hidden pot of gold and treasure hunters track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer.
  

• The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney).
  

• The original color of St. Patrick's Day was not green, but blue. It wasn't until the 19th century that green became Ireland's national color and eventually the color of St. Patrick's Day because of its association with the shamrock, springtime and the Emerald Isle.
  

• The original color of St. Patrick's Day was not green, but blue. It wasn't until the 19th century that green became Ireland's national color and eventually the color of St. Patrick's Day because of its association with the shamrock, springtime and the Emerald Isle.
  

• The Irish flag comprises green, white and orange. The green symbolizes the people of the south, and orange, the people of the north. White represents the peace that brings them together as a nation.
  

• Although St. Patrick's Day falls during the Christian season of Lent, Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat are waived so those celebrating the holiday can feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
  

• Dublin's first St. Patrick's Festival was held in 1996 and was celebrated only on the day. In 1997 it became a three-day event; in 2000 a four-day event; and in 2006 a five-day event.
  

• In Canada, a large lobby led by the Guinness corporation is working to make St. Patrick's Day an official national holiday.