Common Elements to Include in St. Patrick’s Day Books
St. Patrick’s Day is a day of joy and celebration of all things Irish. Often, St. Patrick’s Day is seen as a festive day for festivities, but there is a deeper meaning to it. Going to a parade, drinking some beer, and embracing the color green are fun, but the day’s roots are religious. St. Patrick was a real man, and March 17 is the day to honor his life and teachings.
You can write a book that incorporates as many or as few elements of St. Patrick’s Day as you want. You can focus on the religious background of the day, or write a feel-good picture book for young readers. People all around the world celebrate Irish culture on St. Patrick’s Day, and literature can reflect that. No matter what, make sure you book highlights the meaning of this day to represent Irish culture.
Who is St. Patrick?
The man who would later become St. Patrick was born in fifth-century Britain. He is most widely recognized for being a missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland. He was never formally canonized by the Catholic Church, as he lived before that was common. However, he quickly became regarded as the patron saint of Ireland for his role in spreading Christianity.
March 17 is St. Patrick’s feast day, meaning many Christian denominations celebrate his work on that day. The level of devotion and celebration to St. Patrick varies regionally, culturally, and denominationally. Some places focus on St. Patrick’s Day’s fun, while others use it for religious devotion based on the real saint.
What is the folklore of St. Patrick’s Day?
Much modern-day appreciation for St. Patrick comes from folklore about his life and work, much of which is fantastical. When St. Patrick brought the Word of God to Ireland, it is said all the snakes in Ireland disappeared. This is likely not literally true, but used to explain Ireland’s lack of native snake species. Nevertheless, this is a story with powerful allegorical meaning.
Further, St. Patrick is responsible for the association of St. Patrick’s Day, Irish culture, and luck with shamrocks. Shamrocks typically are three-leafed clovers, representing the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ireland is full of shamrocks, and it is speculated that St. Patrick used them to explain religion to locals.
Another symbol of St. Patrick’s Day is the leprechaun, a mischievous fairy-like creature with green clothes and red hair. These creatures from folklore have been synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day. In modern folklore, leprechauns are said to hide pots of gold at the end of rainbows.
Much of the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day combines religious symbolism with secular festivities. There are often parades, parties, and festivals to have fun, celebrate Irish culture, and wear green. Many people who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day around the world do so to embrace Irish culture. Nevertheless, much of the symbolism of the day is rooted in Christianity.
Why write a St. Patrick’s Day book?
St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday in the United States, but it is still widely observed. What makes the day unique from other holidays is that there is a unique green color palette associated with it. Not to mention, Irish folklore has specific imagery that is not often used other times of year. Further, due to the religious background of the real-life saint, you can write a book that highlights this connection.
St. Patrick’s Day books can be for any audience, whether specifically about the day or focused on Irish culture. St. Patrick’s Day is a whimsical day, and books about it that really play into that.
Picture books and others for young readers often emphasize the color green. It is probably the day’s most unifying marker. Irish folklore is very mystical and can be fun to adapt for children’s stories of all lengths and genres.
Books for adults are often less juvenile, but there can still be a level of whimsy in any book. Any genre can incorporate Irish culture and folklore without needing to be specifically about St. Patrick’s Day. For example, you can write a fantasy novel with a new twist on common folklore. Or, you can write a romance about two people falling in love with an Irish twist.
Finally, you can write a nonfiction book that showcases the Christian roots of the holiday. Alternatively, you can write about the man himself, St. Patrick, or other Irish Christian figures. There are so many aspects of St. Patrick’s Day to write about for any genre or theme.
