Of Leprechauns and Shamrocks

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Of Leprechauns

A leprechaun is an Irish fairy, standing about 2 ft. tall and almost in all instances is not pleasant to look at. He is usually dressed like a cobbler, with a cocked hat and leather apron. Legend dictates that leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly; live alone, and pass the time making shoes. Leprechauns possess a hidden pot of gold and treasure hunters who are fortunate enough to catch one, can force him to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure. But the captor must keep his eyes on the leprechaun every second (he's very skilled at tricking his captor into looking away) as the leprechaun can vanish in an instant and hope of finding the treasure is lost.

Of Shamrocks

The shamrock, once called a seamroy, symbolizes the cross and blessed trinity. Before the Christian era it was considered sacred by the Druids.

The legend behind it is related to St. Patrick and his teachings. Preaching in the open air on the doctrine of the trinity, he is said to have illustrated the existence of the Three in One, by plucking a shamrock from the grass which was growing at his feet and showing it to his congregation. It is also connected to a legend connected to the banishment of a serpent tribe from Ireland by a tradition that snakes are never seen on the trefoil and that is is a remedy against the strings of snakes and scorpions.

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