Who is the St. Patrick's Day leprechaun?
The St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun is a legendary figure associated with St. Patrick's Day, which is celebrated on March 17 in honor of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The most famous leprechaun associated with this holiday is the leprechaun. Leprechauns are creatures of Irish mythology, often represented as small bearded men, dressed in green, and possessing a magical golden cauldron. According to legend, leprechauns are shoe makers, and they are known for their mischief.
Legend also has it that if you manage to catch a leprechaun, he can offer you three wishes in exchange for his freedom. However, catching a leprechaun is known to be a difficult task, as they are cunning and capable of disappearing quickly.
The depiction of the leprechaun has become iconic in Irish culture and is often associated with St. Patrick's Day celebrations around the world.
The Irish celebration of St. Patrick's Day is partly represented by a little leprechaun with a four-leaf clover. You have probably already seen a representative image of this little character from the Gaelic culture without knowing its name. Irish culture often refers to a gnome or leprechaun during related St. Patrick's Day festivities. Find out who this little symbolic character from Celtic mythology is.
According to folklore
The leprechaun representing St. Patrick's Day is the Leprechaun. According to Irish folklore, this little elf is a shoemaker whose main occupation is playing naughty pranks. Legend has it that the Leprechaun has a cauldron or pot full of treasures. Over time, the Irish began to connect the St. Patrick's shamrock with the elves' symbol of luck Leprechaun.
The Mythological Origins of the St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun
The Leprechaun is also present in the Irish mythology. In the Middle Ages, a collection of poems and poetry about the people of the time told the history of the world. According to the latter, the little elves are descendants of the “tuatha dé danann”. They are a people who wanted to conquer Ireland according to legend, but who lost out to the Gaelic people. The winner was destined to rule Ireland while the loser could rule the buried parts of the earth.
In contemporary culture
There Modern Celtic culture has popularized a specific image of the Leprechaun with literature and cinema. The modern archetype is a gnome dressed in green, living at the foot of a rainbow with his cauldron filled with gold. He usually wears a four-leaf clover representing luck and good fortune. It is especially famous for its mischievous character and its nasty pranks because this creature seeks above all to protect its precious cauldron.
The etymology of the word Leprechaun
The Leprechaun is often confused with the leprechaun or leprechaun of Scottish folklore. However, he is more representative of the common people, since he is considered a creature affiliated with the Irish. The origin of the word Leprechaun comes from the English Leprechaun which derives from leipreachàn in the Irish language. There are several sources for this word, however the oldest origins are less certain. The one that is most cited comes from the Irish luchrupan, deriving from luchorpàn from the old Irish language. Lú means “small” and corpan “body” to refer to the small size of the creature.
The symbol of St. Patrick's Day
The Leprechaun, dressed in green with a red beard, is one of the main symbols of St. Patrick's Day. He is constantly present during the celebration and has had a major impact on the progress of the festivities. It is present on the gift cards that the Irish give each other. Dressing up as a Leprechaun has even become a tradition during theme parties.
The festival of patron saint of Ireland is seen as a celebration of national identity. Thus, all Irish folklore and everything that symbolizes the country is visible there. The Leprechaun is one of the permanent figures throughout the festivities.
The Leprechaun being directly linked to the Irish clover. This small detail makes all the difference to its importance and popularity in Ireland and around the world.
The particularities of the Saint Patrick's Day elf
The Leprechaun has certain characteristics that differentiate it from other fey creatures. First, it stands out for its small size. Generally, the Leprechaun does not exceed 90 cm. He is stocky, dressed entirely in green and wears a shoemaker's apron to represent his profession. He wears a top hat and buckled shoes. One of the particularities of this typically Irish creature is found at the gender level. There are only male Leprechauns.
When it comes to his character, the little St. Patrick's Day elf doesn't do things by halves. When it comes to the Leprechaun, legends speak of a stingy, unpleasant being who smokes a pipe with foul-smelling smoke. He is constantly in a bad mood, which explains his solitary nature. He also has a cauldron filled with gold that he hides at the foot of a rainbow.
The influence of the St Patrick's leprechaun on the holiday
THE St. Patrick's Day leprechaun had a direct impact on festive events. This effect was mainly felt at fancy dress parties. The Irish dress in gloves, tights and all the traditional Leprechaun outfit, without forgetting the clover. The festival takes place annually in Dublin where fans of the event gather for 4 days. The best pubs in the area serve local specialties to celebrate the commemoration of St. Patrick's Day. This event brings together adults and children around a magical, but especially Celtic, theme.