He came from a Romano-British imperial family, but he was abducted and enslaved as a herdsman in the Irish hills. He escaped Ireland but returned as a missionary, planning to convert the Irish people to Christianity. Thirty years later, in 461 AD, Patrick died and became Ireland's patron saint. That day, March 17, has since become Saint Patrick's Day, a day of wild celebration all over the world.
One of the most prominent Saint Patrick's Day symbols is the three-leaved shamrock, which ties back to the holiday's religious roots. Legend tells us that when Patrick arrived in Ireland, he used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. The metaphor worked well for pagan Ireland, since they worshipped many triple deities. This story is probably fabricated, but over time, the shamrock became Ireland's national symbol.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
