Why Are Certain Things Considered Lucky?
But where do these traditions come from?
----- SHAMROCKS -----
A real shamrock only has three leaves — but that doesn’t mean it’s not lucky! In fact, in Irish folklore (and many other cultures), the number three is considered very lucky. So a plant with three leaves would have lots of luck — except for poison ivy which also has three leaves!
*Fun Fact: You Have a 1 in 5,000 Chance of Finding a Four-Leaf Clover
----- POT of GOLD (at the end of the rainbow) -----
The most well-known origin story of the leprechaun’s pot of gold at the end of the rainbow involves a couple of poor farmers in Ireland. When this husband and wife pulled their very last carrot out of their garden, they found a leprechaun dangling from the roots. Being captured, the leprechaun promised one wish in exchange for his freedom.
The husband and wife could not decide on just a single wish, so they began wishing for everything—new tools, a house, jewelry—and the list continued until the leprechaun interrupted them. Dismayed by their greed, the leprechaun told the couple they might have all they wished for and more if they could find his pot of gold hidden at the end of the rainbow. The leprechaun winked and left the farmers to chase rainbows forever, looking for a fictitious fortune.
Why, out of all the Irish folklore, is the leprechaun’s story of deception the one that people perpetuate? Well, like all great fables, there is a moral to the story.
This cautionary tale reminds us that relying on luck, magic, and greed can be a recipe for disaster. Instead of working hard and making strategic moves to build financial stability, people can be tricked into wasting their precious time and resources searching—metaphorically—for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
----- WEARING GREEN -----
In 1798, the Irish rebelled against British rule in a short but brutal uprising. In just five months, at least 10,000 (and possibly more) rebels and civilians were killed. The popular Irish ballad, The Wearing of the Green, celebrates the rebels, who often wore shamrocks and green clothing even though doing so was illegal. For many years, it was a custom to pin a sprig of shamrock to your lapel or wear a bunch in your hat on St. Patrick’s Day.
*The Colors Of The Holiday:
GREEN - One of the reasons we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day is because of Ireland’s nickname, The Emerald Isle. The green stripe in the Irish flag also played a role. Traditionally, the green represents the Catholics of Ireland.
ORANGE - The orange represents the Protestant population
WHITE - The white in the middle symbolizes the peace between the two religions.
BLUE? - The earliest depictions of St. Patrick show him clothed in blue garments, not green, and when George III created a new order of chivalry for the Kingdom of Ireland, the Order of St. Patrick, its official color was sky blue, known as 'St. Patrick's Blue’.
——— WAYS TO INVITE LUCK INTO YOUR HOME ———
You can invoke good luck with little effort. There are so many ways to invite good luck into your lives, but most of us don’t know how.
** Find a Four-Leaf Clover:
Christian communities all over Ireland follow the theory of Saint Patrick’s Trinity and represent it with a three-leaf shamrock. But finding a four-leaf clover is symbolic of good luck, just remember, finding a four-leaf clover is as tough as finding water in a desert.
** Burn Sage:
Burning a sage is a symbol of burning all the negativity from your surroundings. It’s perceived to have a special energy that fights against evil.
** Wear Green:
This tradition is associated with the myth of the pinching leprechaun, who pinches people not wearing green outfits. To avoid the annoying pinching, people wear green head to toe on that day. It is believed to get them good luck in life.
** Kiss an Irish:
On St. Patrick’s Day kissing someone who is Irish can bring you good luck. That’s why people wear “kiss me, I’m, I’m Irish” written t-shirts on that day
** Take a Shamrock Shot:
Tossing a shamrock in a glass of whiskey is a symbol of good fortune. But don’t eat the shamrock, only drink the shot. Tossing it over the left shoulder is a sign of good fortune.
** Carry a Cinnamon Stick:
Although carrying a cinnamon stick is weird, it is perceived as a good sign and is popular throughout Ireland. People usually carry a cinnamon stick in their wallets to get prosperous.
** Irish Soda Bread:
The bread is made with flour, eggs, buttermilk, and baking soda. The delicious item pledges to bring you happiness in your life, filling your life with positivity and joy. It is believed to help you get rid of negative entities.
** Chant Irish Blessing:
If you are not able to follow all these traditions, don’t worry! You can chant the special Irish blessing, and that will make your day fresh and enlightening.