MSN Home  |   Hotmail  |   Shopping  |   People & Groups
Windows Live ID  Web Search:    
go to XtraMSNGroups 
Groups Home  |  My Groups  |  Help  
 
Border CapitalContains "mature" content, but not necessarily adult.[email protected] 
  
What's New
  
  Welcome  
  Site Map  
  Messages  
  General  
  Site Management  
  Miscellaneous  
  Month week day  
  The Seasons  
  Fun & Games  
  Holidays  
  PSP  
  Celebration  
  Pets  
  Family  
  Food  
  Entertainment  
  Hobbies & Crafts  
  Home &Garden  
  Wildlife &Nature  
  Health & Beauty  
  Places & Travel  
  Sports  
  Transport  
  Environment  
  Science &History  
  Computers  
  News & Politics  
  Money &Investing  
  Paranormal  
  Fantasy  
  Religion  
  Groups Banners  
  Banner swap  
  Where we promote  
  
  
  Tools  
 
Holidays : St Patricks day
Choose another message board
 
     
Reply
 Message 1 of 3 in Discussion 
From: XtraMSN Nicknamedizzy520  (Original Message)Sent: 11/03/2008 8:24 p.m.
 
 

 

Photobucket

TEXT HERE

Do not remove credit 

Photobucket




First  Previous  2-3 of 3  Next  Last 
Reply
 Message 2 of 3 in Discussion 
From: XtraMSN Nicknamedizzy520Sent: 12/03/2008 3:56 p.m.
 

Photobucket

TEXT HERE

Do not remove credit 

Photobucket




Reply
 Message 3 of 3 in Discussion 
From: XtraMSN Nicknamedizzy520Sent: 16/03/2008 10:40 a.m.
 
 

lepr3

What Are the Traditions of St. Patrick's Day?
There are many traditions and symbols associated with St. Patrick's Day and Ireland. Here are a handful of the most popular practices.

Shamrock
The shamrock as symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day is partly due to the natural abundance of clover plants in the country, but largely due to its strong association with Christianity. According to Robert Mahony, Professor of English and member of the Center for Irish Studies at Catholic University, legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to visually illustrate the concept of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) when trying to convert polytheistic pagans to Christianity.

"A clover is one plant with three leaves, but the three leaves are necessary to make it [complete]," explains Prof. Mahony. "[In Christianity,] God is three persons, but it's not the same as three gods." The simple analogy is thought to have helped non-Christians understand a fundamental element of the Christian religion, facilitating conversion.

It was through the retelling of this story that the shamrock became associated with St. Patrick and Ireland's conversion to Christianity. As a result, the shamrock is a widely used to commemorate Saint Patrick's Day, and in modern times has been appropriated by secular institutions as a symbol for the Irish.

Four-Leaf Clover
Although clovers are most often found in nature with three leaves, rare four-leaf clovers do exist. Finding one is thought to bring someone extreme luck. The folklore for four-leaf clovers differs from that of the Shamrock due to the fact that it has no religious allusions associated with it. It is believed that each leaf of a four-leaf clover represents something different: first is hope, the second is faith, the third is love, and the fourth is happiness.

Leprechauns
Just what does a mythical leprechaun look like and why are they so special? A leprechaun looks like a little old man and dresses like a shoemaker with a cocked hat and leather apron. A Leprechaun's personality is described as aloof and unfriendly. They live alone and pass the time by mending the shoes of Irish fairies.

According to St. Patrick's Day: Parades, Shamrocks, and Leprechauns by Elaine Landau, the legend is that the fairies pay the leprechauns for their work with golden coins, which the "little people" collect in large pots--the famous "pots of gold" often associated with leprechauns.

If you listen closely for the sound of their hammer you might be able to capture one. If you do you can force him (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal where he's hidden his treasure. Be careful! Do not take your eyes off him for if you do he will surely vanish and your hopes of finding his treasure will vanish with him.

Green
So why do we all wear green?

Probably because you'll be pinched if you don't! School children started this tradition. Green is also the color of spring, the shamrock, and is connected with hope and nature. Historically, green has been a color used in the flags of several revolutionary groups in Ireland and as a result it appears in the official tri-color country flag, adopted in 1919.

In addition to that, Ireland is often called the "Emerald Isle" due to the lush natural greenery found on the island. Says Prof. Mahony, "One of the things that strikes people all the time is how Ireland is incredibly green--it's very far north, but it doesn't get frozen. When people say that 'Ireland has 40 shades of green,' they are right!"

The luck of the Irish
Want to be lucky this St. Patrick's Day? Follow this advice:

1. Find a four-leaf clover. 2. Wear green (so you don't get pinched). 3. Kiss the blarney stone. 4. Catch a Leprechaun if you can.

In honor of the festivities we leave you with this Irish blessing: May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!

shamrock 

Do not remove credit 

Photobucket





Notice: Microsoft has no responsibility for the content featured in this group. Click here for more info.
 MSN - Make it Your Home