Potty about Patty's?

Millions of pints of Guinness will be poured worldwide today in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. As with most celebrations these days, the occasion is marked by inebriated revellers. Before you 'don your hat and orange beard, have a read of the fascinating facts of Paddy's day.

#Rooted in religion

As is again often the case with modern celebrations, the history of St. Patrick's Day is religious. St. Patrick was born to Christian parents in mainland UK and was kidnapped and taken to Ireland. In the land of druids and paganism, he turned to the Christian God to save him from what he considered barbarism. After perfecting his preach over in France, he returned to the Emerald Isle to change minds to Christianity.

#Sham of the shamrock

St. Patrick used the ever abundant three-leafed clover as an allegorical emblem for explaining the holy trinity to his converts. Each leaf coming from one stem represented the father, the son, and the holy spirit: united. A green symbol of the return of the rebirth associated with spring, it was already considered good luck, although today people look for the four-leafed variety.

#Expulsion of serpents

Depicted in green, with snakes at his staff; St. Patrick reportedly drove the snakes away from Ireland. In truth, the island conditions were never hospitable to snakes and this expulsion was another allegory: for his driving out of pagan ideals.

#Greatest Gig at Glastonbury

St. Patrick is said to have died in the town of one of the most famous festivals on Earth: Glastonbury. Ironically, the town today is something of a pagan and spiritualist Mecca, all year round. Glastonbury Abbey still houses the chapel of St. Patrick; where he is rumoured to have been buried.

Regardless of religion, today St. Patrick's Day is celebrated around the world with parades, parties, and pints. Wherever you choose to celebrate, let's hope you'll have the luck of the Irish tomorrow when your hangover emerges!