Today our school celebrated an early St. Patrick’s Day by wearing GREEN! We celebrated early because our students are on March Break when St. Patrick’s Day actually falls.

Five Facts About Shamrocks:

1. This three leaf clover called the shamrock is one of the most widely recognized symbols of Ireland and is often referred to as the unofficial symbol of this country. The official symbol is actually the Irish harp instead.
2. When Saint Patrick traveled over to Ireland in the fifth century and began preaching the word of God, there was a small problem. Unlike today, Christianity was traditionally spread around by word of mouth. Armed with this knowledge, this Saint is said to have used the shamrock and its distinctive three leaves to teach the people all about the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
3. Did you know that the word shamrock comes from the Gaelic word Seamrog, meaning “little clover”.
4. The meaning of symbols can often change throughout history and sometimes rather dramatically too. In the early 1900’s, the shamrock became a symbol of rebellion of the Irish people against the English. As a symbol of rebellion, openly displaying this three-leaf clover was made illegal and punishable by death.
5. Shamrocks are often placed as a lucky emblem and motif in the wedding bouquet of an Irish bride. This is an old custom and tradition that is still often followed today in modern weddings.

In the pictures below, students are busy colouring in the patterns on their 3 leaf clovers.