Shamrocks or clovers are a symbol of Ireland and a common motif used for anything Irish especially, St. Patricks Day. The clover is used informally as the badge of Ireland. It is also believed that St. Patrick used the clover in his missionary work to teach the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

In Irish mythology, Leprechauns are a type of male fairy who take the form of a diminutive old man. They are thought to be mischievous and cunning and enjoy their wealth, storing their treasure crocks of gold. Legeng holds that if you can keep a leprechaun captive you can keep his crock of gold. However, if you do not keep your eye on a leprechaun, he’ll disappear.

Shades of green are customarily worn on St. Patrick’s Day in the United States and Ireland. The shades of green represent the “Emerald Isle” for its lush, emerald colored vegetation. Green is the national color of Ireland and on St. Patrick’s Day cities with large Irish populations like Chicago have been known to go to great lengths to dye the streets and even the Chicago River green.

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