St. Patrick's cross was replaced by what Irish icon to celebrate the feast of the country's Patron Saint?

The plant's international association with the country is relatively new. It wasn't until the 17th century that it became the custom to wear the shamrock on the 17th of March; until then, the Irish people wore a small St. Patrick's cross, made just for the occasion.

Then, in the late 18th century, the shamrock was adopted as an emblem. However, it didn't really become widely popular until the 19th century.

Viewed as an act of rebellion in Victorian England, Irish regiments were forbidden to display shamrocks.

"Oh Paddy dear, and did ye hear the news that's going round?

The shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground!

No more St. Patrick's Day we'll keep; his color can't be seen,

For there's a cruel law agin' the Wearing o' the Green!"

More Info: www.irishcultureandcustoms.com

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50 Comments

Nicole Toma-Tolman

Even if you're Scottish and not Irish (or any nationality for that matter), it's a pretty simple question. But I never complain about simplicity. Just because I know the answer, it doesn't mean it's simple to everyone.

Littlelegs

I so wNted to put Guinness. 😆

Chrissie

Kirk Yates, still is! Just look at this week's UK news. (23-29 May 2020)

Chrissie

robert karel, Jan said "represents" - not "is"!

Robert Henderson

the only problem with the snippet from "the wearing of the green"quote is that St Patrick's colour isn't Green but is in fact Blue. it even has a particular shade of blue "St Patricks Blue" check the colour of the plumes on The Irish Guards bearskins and was also the colour of the regalia of the order of St Patrick. the earliest Irish national flag was a gold harp on a blue background too.

Chris Braid

Went for harp. Too much Guinness perhaps!

Mike Reidy

Garbage , St Patrick’s Day is celebrated by Catholics and Protestants alike amongst other religions in Ireland these days! robert karel,

Cleo Jones

I think it is a shame that St. Patrick's Cross was discarded. Shamrocks grow in lots of places. I have a clump in my back yard in Alabama, USA. My birthday is St. Patrick's Day- March 17. I venerate tradition. I don't care for revisionist history.

Caroline Cannon

Got it right.

Diane Baker

I heard a tale about how St. Patrick explained the Trinity by using a shamrock. Don't know when I heard it and how old the tale is. Love Celtic crosses, esp. with the Celtic knotwork.