The Leprechaun: Leprechauns have also become a symbol of St. Patrick's Day, even though they originally had nothing to do with the holiday. The leprechaun is in fact not an important figure in Irish folk culture. It's just one of a whole range of supernatural beings.

According to the stories, leprechauns are unfriendly and unsociable. They live alone and pass the time making shoes. They also own a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by listening for the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If you catch one, you can threaten to hurt him if he doesn't tell you where the treasure is, but you must keep your eyes on him every second. If the leprechaun tricks you into looking away, he will disappear. Then you have no hope of finding the treasure.

Why Green? Green is associated with Saint Patrick's Day because it is the color of spring, Ireland, and the shamrock.

What's good luck on Saint Patrick's Day?

• Finding a four-leaf clover (that's double the good luck it usually is).


• Wearing green. School children started this tradition of their own. They used to pinch classmates who don't wear green on this holiday.


• Kissing the Blarney Stone.