3 St Patrick’s Day superstitions to avoid bad luck

Each year on March 17, thousands of individuals worldwide participate in parades and transform their cities into a sea of green. It has evolved into a global celebration of Ireland, its culture and history. St Patrick’s Day originally began as a religious feast day, with early festivities centred around dances, dinners and concerts.

Whether you’re Irish by heritage or not, many are keen to join in on the celebrations. However, to truly embrace the luck of the Irish, it’s recommended to adhere to three superstitions…

It’s deemed unlucky not to wear green on St Patrick’s Day. According to legend, leprechauns will pinch those who fail to don green today.

Wearing green supposedly renders you invisible to leprechauns. A simple green addition to your ensemble could certainly prove beneficial.

If you’re indulging in some soda bread today, ensure it’s baked with a cross on top. You should carve a deep cross into the bread with a knife prior to baking to bless it and keep evil spirits at bay. It’s believed to “let the devil out”.

The shamrock is intrinsically linked with St Patrick, and tradition holds that he employed the plant to symbolise the Holy Trinity. Drowning the shamrock on St Patrick’s Day has evolved into a time-honoured tradition that stems from the Saint himself.

According to legend, St Patrick visited a public house and was served a measure of whiskey that fell short of being full. He informed the landlord that a devil resided in his cellar which thrived on the man’s deceitfulness, and that he ought to mend his ways.

St Patrick returned to the establishment and observed the landlord had reformed his practices. He was given a generously filled whiskey and chose to consume it on his feast day.

The beverage became known as Pota Phadraig or Patrick’s Pot. Drowning the shamrock occurs at the conclusion of the festivities on St Patrick’s Day, when the shamrock is submerged into the final glass of whiskey during a toast to the Saint. After being consumed, the plant is cast over the left shoulder.