History of Shamrock, Leprechaun, and the Blarney's Stone
THE MAGIC SHAMROCK
Three
is Ireland's magic number. Hence the Shamrock. Crone, Mother and Virgin.
Love, Valour and Wit.. Faith, Hope and Charity. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Numbers played an important role in Celtic symbolism. Three was the most
sacred and magical number. It multiplies to nine, which is sacred to Brigit.
Three may have signified totality: past, present and future OR behind,
before and here OR sky, earth and underworld. Everything good in Ireland
comes in threes. The rhythm of story telling in the Irish tradition is
based on threefold repetition. This achieves both intensification and
exaggeration. Even today in quality pub talk, a raconteur can rarely resist
a third adjective, especially if it means stretching a point. "Three
accomplishments well regarded in Ireland: a clever verse, music on the
harp, the art of shaving faces."
THE LEPRECHAUN
The
Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. He looks like a small, old man (about 2
feet tall), often dressed like a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather
apron. According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live
alone, and pass the time making shoes. They also possess a hidden pot
of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound
of his shoemaker's hammer. If caught, he can be forced (with the threat
of bodily violence) to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, but the
captor must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes
leave the leprechaun (and he often tricks them into looking away), he
vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.
Wow! Check this out!: The Leprechaun Watch...
THE BLARNEY STONE
The
Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in
the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the
kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney). The castle was built
in 1446 by Cormac Laidhiv McCarthy (Lord of Muskerry) -- its walls are
18 feet thick (necessary to thwart attacks by Cromwellians and William
III's troops). Thousands of tourists a year still visit the castle. The
origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties aren't clear, but one
legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king
who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell
gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. It's tough
to reach the stone -- it's between the main castle wall and the parapet.
Kissers have to stretch to their back and bend backward (and downward),
holding iron bars for support.
This is so funny! Find out more by going to the castle's official website: http://www.blarneycastle.ie
