Top O’ the mornin’ to ya all! Are you wearin your green? What is all the green about and who started it?

At the age of sixteen, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. He had a dream and in that dream he was told by God to flee from captivity and take off for the coast where he would board a ship and return to Britain. He did this and quickly joined the Church in Auxerre in Gual. It was here that he studied to be a priest.

In 432, Patrick said that he was called back to Ireland to save the Irish. Patrick was successful in this endeavor. Irish folklore tells that one of his teaching methods included using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) to the Irish people. St. Patrick died on March 17, 461 after nearly thirty years of teaching and spreading “God’s word”. Patrick has been known as the principal champion of Irish Christianity and is held in esteem in the Irish Church.

The colors of the Republic of Ireland are green, white and orange. The green represents the Catholic side of Ireland and St. Patrick, the Catholic who converted many Irishmen to Christianity. The orange represents the protestants who were called “Orangemen”, as in King William the Orange.The clashes in Ireland between the Catholics and Protestants are often clashes of the green and the orange. Ironically, the white color in the middle of their flag is supposed to signify the peace between the two colors.

In 1798 there was a rebellion in hopes of making a political statement Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on 17 March in hopes of catching attention with their unusual fashion gimmick. The phrase “the wearing of the green”, meaning to wear a shamrock on one’s clothing, derives from the song “

www.youtube.com/watch?v=guj0Js6Moa4

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was actually held in the United States Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army. Each year, nearly three million people line the 1.5-mile parade route to watch the procession, which takes more than five hours. Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Savannah also celebrate the day with parades involving between 10,000 and 20,000 participants.

So why do we get pinched if we don’t wear green? Actually this in an American tradition which has nothing to do really with Ireland or St. Patrick’s Day.It’s thought that the pinching started in the early 1700s, about the time that awareness of St. Patrick’s as a holiday came into being. They thought if you wore green, it made you invisible to the Leprechauns, which was good because they would pinch anyone they could see. So the pinching is to warn and remind you about the Leprechauns.

So, wear your green and keep safe from the Leprechauns and here are a few words of Irish wisdom for you.

Good Luck Diamond And Peridot Four Leaf Clover Pendant NecklaceFor thousands of years, people have looked to the four-leaf clover, diamond, peridot and topaz for good fortune. Now all four symbols have come together in this sparkling good luck pendant necklace, a fine jewelry design exclusively from The Bradford Exchange. You’ll keep love, luck and happiness close to your heart wherever you go!

This four-leaf clover pendant is exquisitely handcrafted in solid sterling silver and adorned with two charms. The first is a lucky four-leaf clover featuring more than 1.5 carats of dazzling green peridot gemstones that surround a luminous, white topaz. Its partner is a radiant heart charm, plated in 24K gold and kissed with a shimmering solitaire diamond. Plus, this treasure is engraved with a sweet sentiment. Keep good luck with you every day, and it makes a charming Irish jewelry gift. High demand is expected. Order now!

St. Patty’s Day is on its way. Your eyes will be smiling when you see this figurine collection of pretty Irish lasses who capture the spirit of Ireland in their own unique style. Each collectible Irish lady figurine is handcrafted in bisque and glazed porcelain, then carefully hand-painted to bring out her fine details, including genuine 22K gold accents and a real feather or simulated gem. Your collection begins with Issue One, My Wild Irish Rose, followed by Issue Two, Green Grow the Lilacs, then Issue Three, The Wearing of the Green.

Heavenly Messengers! Exclusive Collection of Irish Angel Figurines Showcase Irish Blessings and Glitter Accents! – Ireland’s angels are lovely visions of purity and grace, sent here to deliver heartfelt wishes. Celebrate their beauty and good fortune with this Irish angel figurine collection. Beginning with Issue One, May Your Blessings Outnumber the Shamrocks, soon you’ll be graced by the ethereal presence of Issue Two, May Love and Friendship Brighten Your Days. Before you know it, your collection will continue with additional collectible Irish angel figurines, each a separate issue to follow. Available exclusively from The Hamilton Collection, each of these limited-edition Irish angel figurines in the collection is adorned with a famed symbol of the Emerald Isle. A touching Irish blessing is inscribed on each angel’s flowing gown.

Behind each familiar Irish symbol is a rich tradition woven from a colorful tapestry of legend, history and imagination. Together these symbols celebrate a proud heritage enjoyed by all. Now you can show your Irish pride with these fine jewelry designs.

This exquisitely handcrafted keepsake captures the beauty and rich heritage of the Emerald Isle; it features 26 brightly colored charms embellished with 24K-gold and sterling silver-plated accents, including a shamrock, claddagh, 4-leaf clover, and a charm featuring an Irish blessing. Many charms are also graced with glistening Swarovski® crystals. Plus, this treasure arrives in a custom-designed presentation case. High demand is expected for this stunning and unique Irish bracelet, so order now!

Irish Blessings Heart Charm Bracelet with Swarovski(R) Crystals is a Dazzling Irish Jewelry Gift for Her! Exclusive! – Ireland is a land steeped in tradition and home to a people who are passionate about their dreams. Now, that beauty and passion are honored in an exquisite Irish blessings heart charm bracelet with Swarovski(R) crystals. Handcrafted and lavishly plated in sterling silver and 24K gold, the 12 charms on this Irish blessings bracelet sparkle with the brilliance of over 100 emerald-colored Swarovski crystals. Irish wishes for Luck, Joy, Faith, Love, Laughter and Friendship are engraved on the front of each captivating heart-shaped charm. The reverse side of each heart is engraved with an inspirational verse from the Irish Wishes blessing.Be inspired by the traditions of the Emerald Isle with this magnificent Irish blessings heart charm bracelet, a fine jewelry design available exclusively from The Bradford Exchange. This Irish-inspired bracelet also boasts 6 Irish symbol charms including a horseshoe, clover, cross, claddagh, harp and Celtic knot. As the perfect finishing touch, the charms are set off by 12 lustrous freshwater pearls. Makes a prized keepsake for you and it’s an awe-inspiring Irish jewelry gift for her.

Irish Celtic Cross Pendant Necklace! Faceted Crystal Heart with Celtic Cross Symbol and Engraved Irish Blessing! – Forever faithful are the Irish and Irish at heart who trust in God for love and happiness. Now you can wear a sparkling reminder of Ireland’s rich blessings of faith with this stunning Irish Celtic cross pendant necklace, a fine jewelry design exclusively from The Bradford Exchange. Exquisitely handcrafted in solid sterling silver, this Irish blessing jewelry features a peridot green faceted crystal heart adorned with a sterling silver Celtic cross plated in rich 24K gold. The reverse side of the heart is engraved with the traditional Irish blessing, “May God always hold you in the palm of His hands.” For the perfect finishing touch, this treasure’s bail is intricately detailed with Celtic knotwork. Don’t wait to wear this beautiful statement of heritage and faith and it makes an exquisite Irish Celtic jewelry gift.