Sean: “Top ‘o the mornin’ to ya, Liam”
Liam: “And the rest ‘o the day to you!”
Celtic Shamrock – It would seem that the origins of the shamrock are lost in antiquity, legends suggest that St. Patrick plucked a shamrock from Irish soil to demonstrate the meaning of the Trinity- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The plant was reputed to have mystic powers in that its petals will stand upright to warn of a approaching storm. The shamrock is also commonly associated with the symbol of luck. In studying Celtic history, scholars have discovered that the shamrock was a charm to ward away evil. The shamrock remains Ireland’s most famous symbol.From: Symbolism.co
Real Shamrocks
Books
I selected 4 picture books celebrating the Irish and St. Patrick’s Day.
by Natasha Wing: http://amzn.to/1BeMFaE
Natasha Wing puts an Irish twist on a Christmas classic. It’s the night before St. Patrick’s Day, and Tim and Maureen are wide awake setting traps to catch a leprechaun! When they wake the next morning to the sound of their dad playing the bagpipes and the smell of their mom cooking green eggs, they’re shocked to find that they’ve actually caught a leprechaun. But will they be able to find his pot of gold?
Pipes: www.rohanrawat.wordpress.com Player: www.wiki.answers.com
by Pamela Duncan Edwards http://amzn.to/1Fs1rKB
In this classic Irish legend, two harpists — merry-hearted Old Pat and ill-spirited Young Tom — set off for a contest to name the finest harpist in all of Ireland. When Young Tom realizes that Old Pat is truly the better musician, he schemes to be the winner — but he doesn′t reckon with the clever trickery of a mischievous little leprechaun.
Noted picture book creators Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole have imagined a joyful and fanciful tale with a priceless lesson.
by Gerald McDermott http://amzn.to/180u86j
When the evil McGoons trick Tim O’Toole out of his fortune, he teams up with his benefactors, the Little People, to regain his treasure. McDermott’s illustrated books (including Caldecott winner Arrow to the Sun) and animated films have earned him international recognition. Full-color illustrations throughout.
by Leslie McGuirk http://amzn.to/1aTKOhN
When Tucker the terrier wakes up on Saint Patrick’s Day, he gets off on the wrong paw. Nothing is going his way until he rolls in a bed of clover —- a bed of four-leaf clovers, that is, which just happens to belong to a leprechaun! Lucky Tucker! From snatching a falling scoop of ice cream to wrestling with his best friends to getting a whole box of new toys, Tucker is now the luckiest dog around!
An Irish Blessing
Child Fun Friendly Crafts
Paper Plate Hat
Cute as Ever Paper Plate Shamrock Hat
from BuzzFeed.com
All you need to make this fun craft are paper plates, scissors, and pens
Instructions found here
Paper Plate Leprechaun
from sassydeals.com
What you need:
- Green and White construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or Tape
- Marker
This craft couldn’t be more easy. It’s just a painted paper plate and some construction paper.
Add a band to go around the back of the head (soft material) to tie it on.
Irish Symbols and Meanings
1st from www.symbolism.co 2nd from nightowl-crafts.weebly.com Link not working, may be a closed site.
The Triquetra Knot
This symbol is also known as the trinity knot. The word triquetra originally meant “triangle” and was to describe triangle-shaped objects. The triquetra is most known for it’s meaning as the trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). This meaning was used by the Celtic Christian Church. The triquetra is a very old symbol and many say it predates Christianity, the symbol represented the Goddess in Celtic lore. The Trinity Knot holds major significance in neopaganism in that it is believed to represent the three stages of the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, and Crone). The triquetra design on the cover of a replica of the Book of Shadows central to the television series Charmed.Modern Pagans use the triquetra to symbolize a variety of concepts and mythological figures. Germanic Neopagan groups who use the triquetra to symbolize their faith generally believe it is originally of Norse and Germanic origins. This information is from http://www.symbolism.co/celtic_symbols.html
The Triskelion Knot
This symbol represented progress and completion, and was very prominent in Celtic culture. Looking like a wheel with four spokes sticking out, the triskelion is supposed to represent actions, cycles, and revolutions or competition. Image and text from http://www.the-symbols.net/celtic/
Triskele
The Celtic triple spiral is still found at several Megalithic and Neolithic sites. The symbol is thought to be so old that it may predate the Celts entirely. Whatever its origins, many people around the world consider it a symbol of great beauty and mystery. Image and text from http://www.the-symbols.net/celtic/
Celtic Dancing Video
Awesome Redhead Celtic Dancers
Another Blessing
May your heart be warm and happy,
With the lilt of Irish laughter,
Every day in every way
And forever and ever after.
Aknowledgements: Real Shamrock photos, #1 irelands-hidden-gems.com #2 siobhan68.deviantart.com #3 formyeyesonly2012.blogspot.com #4 galleryhip.com Blessings from http://www.brownielocks.com/irishblessings.html
TalesForTheYoung 