Michelle E. Sepulveda
Shamrock-As mentioned above, the shamrock was of important significance because Patrick's legend says he used it to introduce the holy trinity. It is also a familiar plant that grows in Ireland and has become a symbol of both. The mild misty climate of Ireland keeps the shamrock fresh and green winter and summer. It has also been used as an emblem by the Irish. volunteers which were the Irish volunteers in the British army.
Shillelagh-An old Irish word for a short club made out of oak. Shillelagh was the name of a famous oak grove that grew in County Wicklow, Ireland. The famous game of hurling also uses a shillelagh for playing. In the old days, an Irishman would not wander far from home without one. During the times of the Penal Laws inflicted on the Irish by England, many of the oak trees were chopped down and timber was sold in England. The people of Ireland had to turn to burning peat for fuel because wood was so scarce. Today, most shillelaghs are made of blackthorn due to the near extinction of the oaks.
Harp-An instrument that has become a symbol of Ireland. It was used in ancient times to sing of ballads, myths, and legends. Today the harp appears on Irish coins, flags, the national coat of arms, the presidential flag, and the royal arms of the United Kingdom.
Leprechauns-An ancient character found in fairytales. The leprechauns survived time and Christianity and can be found in myths during pagan times.
Irish flag-There are three vertical stripes of green, orange, and white. The Irish tricolor flag is carried in all St. Patrick's day parades. The green stands for the Gaelic and Catholic majority. The orange is for Ireland's Protestants. The white is a symbol of the peace between the two. In Easter week of 1916 the flag became a symbol when the Irish rose up against the British. The flag reminds Americans that St. Patrick's day is as patriotic as well as a religious holiday.