Why are the leprechaun and Blarney stone associated with St. Patricks Day….?
Leprechaun
A leprechaun is an Irish fairy. According to Irish folklore, the leprechaun is an unfriendly little minion that have a little pot of gold. They are tricky and manipulative. The tradition with leprechauns and St. Patrick’s Day is to find the leprechaun’s pot of gold. They also will pinch you if you are not wearing green. An Irish blessing goes:
Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree
Live mystical, magical leprechauns
who are clever as can be
With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of green
The leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen.
Only those who really believe have seen these little elves
And if we are all believers
We can surely see for ourselves.
The Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is set in the wall of Blarney Castle Tower. Kissing the stone is supposed to give the person a gift of blarney (persuasive eloquence). One legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who saved her from drowning. The king kissed the stone and he was able to be convincing and sweet. The stone is hidden between the castle wall and the parapet and you have to bend backward and downward holding iron bars for support.
Although leprechauns and the Blarney stone have their origin in Ireland folklore, neither has anything to do with St. Patrick. Today, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish, so it’s not surprising that other national symbols, such as the leprechaun and the Blarney stone, surface every March 17.
