Can anyone who celebrates St. Patrick's Day tell me what it is really about?
479648
It's about drinking beer.
213248
there is no direct connection except for the fact that both st. patrick and leprechaun are irish. \n\nmuch like bunnies and Easter Sunday have no direct connection.\n\nst. patrick was known for having driven out pagan beliefs and imagery in ancient ireland while leprechauns are based upon Irish luck fairies and the Celtic version of dwarves, which were small slimy gold hunting tricksters. the only sensible explanation could be that because both represent good luck.
116592
Its supposed to be the feast day of St. Valentine, an early martyr of the church.  I think it was Caligula who abolished the institute of marriage and Valentine felt obligated to marry people who were willing to question authority.\n\nThe modern CELEBRATION of Valentine's Day is an abomination brought about by the Corporate powers of Hallmark who noticed a sharp decline in sales between Christmas and Easter.  Their decision: to market an unrecognized feast day and the rest is history.
632753
he died on the date of the holliday.\n   It's celebrated because he was a Christian missionary to Ireland and Scottland!  He saved many people and stated how God is three in one (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) like a shamrock!
244942
It actually depends on their diocese.  I know the bishop in ours offered a special dispensation that allows Catholics to eat corned beef on St. Patrick's Day.  Our Irish and Catholic population is pretty large, so it was a big deal.  I'm not Catholic and I don't really get it, but there you go.
437258
You mean OTHER than the religious significance? (HOLY DAY=HOLIDAY)\n\nTo be with the one's you love and enjoy some good times. (And remember, if it isn't a good time, it's a good story!!)  ;-)
103369
Thank you for taking the time to remove your repeated postings. \nFor the person above me why are you upset? you got 2 points for your answer?\n\nThe History of Mardi Gras\n\nMardi Gras came to New Orleans through its French heritage in 1699. Early explorers celebrated this French Holiday on the banks of the Mississippi River. Throughout the years, Orleanians have added to the celebration by establishing krewes (organizations) which host parades and balls. Carnival quickly became an exciting holiday for both children and adults.\n\nMardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and of course is celebrated on that day of the week. The date can fall between February 3 and March 9 depending on the Lunar calendar, used by the Catholic Church to determine the date of Easter. Mardi Gras is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.\n\nThe official colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. These colors were chosen in 1872 by the King of Carnival, Rex. He chose these colors to stand for the following:\n\n    * Purple represents justice\n    * green stands for faith\n    * gold stands for power\n\nThe Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. On the Christian calendar, the twelfth day after Christmas is known as "Epiphany", "Twelfth Night", or "Kings Day." It is the day the gift-bearing Magi visited the baby Jesus, and is celebrated with its own unique rituals.
273869
I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean eating corned beef and cabbage and drinking green beer.\n\nTo any and all of you who may be looking in on YA from the Emerald Isle, I imagine you all having a serious laugh on the ridiculous way us Yanks celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  I have Irish blood in me, and can only imagine the kind of heartache many of my fellow Irish men and women have known in the centuries of "the troubles" you have endured.
275550
Hey! Happy St.Patrick's Day to you too!
219211
it is a holiday that celebrated by women on march 8. its to recognize and appreciate women kinda like mothers day only mothers day is just for mothers but ziua femeii is for all women\n\nyoure welcome
579450
An Irish seven course meal? A six pack and a potato don't you know! The first American St. Pats Parade, 1776 and all of what is today Washington D.C. turned out to cheer. America then accepted the Irish. The English stereotyped the Irish fleeing their attempt to starve them to death and much of their American ancestors carried that bigoted cause, second strike...most were those less than humans were ,Catholics...and all Protestants "know" what vermin they are! \n  But in all honesty one Irishman arrived with crime and a love to get others to enjoy strong drink as well as he himself did. And to this day his family does all in its power to make the world believe that it is heredity for Irish Catholics to be power mad drunken criminals...So I suppose Teddy, Patrick et all the Kennedy's are just following a long family tradition. You do know Teddy's gran built the family fortune by being a murderous bootlegger? Funny what passes for old money in America.
298913
I don't go out of my way to wear any particular color on St. Patrick's Day. I have no Irish heritage. My wife and kids wear green though. She is part Irish.
359563
Saint Patrick was originally a Roman born young man in occupied England.  He was captured by raiding Irishman and forced to work in Ireland where he realized they were a savage nation that needed to know Jesus.  After returning to England he became a priest then returned to Ireland to live a nomadic life preaching and converting Ireland, his effect was massive - the Billy graham of his day.  Because of his nomadic lifestyle and first missionary status he is the patron saint of travelers and people living in foreign lands.  so fondly remembered by Irish immigrant to USA - the rest is modern history.\n\nPS he never chased any snakes out of Ierland - there never have been snakes in the British isles and Ireland
223251
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nCommon Traditions\nEveryone wears the color green to honor Ireland. Ireland's nickname is "The Emerald Isle" because the grass on the hills is so green. \nIf someone doesn't where green, everyone else is allowed to pinch him. Some people say that if you pinch someone who is wearing green, that person gets to pinch you back ten times. \nDecorations often include shamrocks to honor St. Patrick. He is supposed to have used the shamrock to explain religion to the Irish people. \nLeprechauns are also common decorations. It is said that these little magical men hide their gold in pots at the end of the rainbow. \nThere are always big parades in Chicago and New York. \nThe city of Chicago dyes their river green
410051
Im in Ireland and my cousins birthday is St.Patrick's day. And all we do is throw a normal party like it was any other day and then go to the pub. No-one in Ireland drinks green beer, or eats cabbage and corned beef on Paddy's Day, because we don't need to prove we are Irish or try make ourselves feel Irish by doing these things.These are not Irish customs, they are American. If your daughter is Irish, then that will be enough for her on Paddy's Day, have a normal party, while the rest of America is running around trying to be as Irish as possible and not even coming close to what she is.
286865
Because they want to get in everyone's faces about their gayness.  Just look at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York.  You do not see banners saying "Irish-American Animal Lovers" or Irish-American Headbangers" or "Irish-Americans Who Watch Cartoons" or anything else like that, because the parade is not about any of those things.  But the gays think they should have their own banner, so the attention will be focused on them.
252170
Why is the Irish flag waved on St. Patrics day?  Because people who came from that country have a reason to unite under it, as does any American who respects their past.\nAre we at War with Mexico?\nGet over it.