Today the color green reigns supreme. St. Patrick's Day grabs one's attention with an explosion of leprechaun hats, clover-shaped cookies and green pitchers around town, even if the reasons behind the green colored holiday remains a mystery.
"Historically I don't know anything about [St. Patrick's Day]," second-year Engineering student Michael Purvis said. "All I know is that people wear green and when people pinch you it hurts."
Although many associate the day with wearing green and drinking, St. Patrick's Day is in fact the religious feast day and anniversary of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who introduced Christianity to the island and was largely responsible for the conversion of the Irish people to Christianity.
Third-year College student Galen MacCaba, who is from Ireland, said the holiday has profound religious meaning for the Irish people.
"While there are three different dates in 1922, 1937 and 1948 that could be considered national political holidays, the day we actually consider to be our national holiday is St. Patrick's Day," MacCaba said. "It has a religious importance and not a political importance. I guess that suggests the role of religion in our national identity."
MacCaba said he relates the difference between the perception of St. Patrick's Day as a religious holiday in Ireland and as a social holiday in the United States to American commercialism.
"For a number of years, McDonald's produced mint-colored green milkshakes, but Irish people were grossed out by them. I guess that shows a displeasure of commercialism," he said. "On the other hand, St. Patrick's Day in America, it seems in my mind that in common with many other sacred holidays Americans prefer to attach commercial significance rather than sacred significance to it."
Second-year College student Sara Rodell said she also related the popularity of St. Patrick's Day to commercialism.
"I think the fact that it is a much-celebrated holiday and that I have no idea what the religious meaning is behind it shows how commercialized it has become," Rodell said.
Purvis said he finds St. Patrick's commercialization to be on a much lower level than other holidays.
"There is not as much promotion for it as there is for Valentine's Day, I don't think, because I have never seen a St. Patrick's Day card," Purvis said. "It is just usually people getting green shirts with clovers on them. Or like hats or stickers."
Purvis also remarked on the St. Patrick's Day reputation of involving alcohol consumption.
"There are always lots of parties because it is a holiday and it is an Irish holiday," he said. "And people assume Irish people drink a lot, and I guess you pretend to be Irish by drinking a lot."
MacCaba said he finds the drinking tradition of St. Patrick's Day to be an American association with the holiday.
"I don't think the Irish-Americans have as perfect a knowledge of what it means to be Irish," MacCaba said. "This is not to say that there is no drinking in Ireland, however, it is done in the appropriate setting with respect and a sense of religious and national festivity."
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 3 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 5 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
