Leprechauns and Other Wacky St. Patrick’s Day Folklore
What’s the image that comes immediately to mind when you think of leprechauns? Is it the Lucky Charms mascot? Lucky the Leprechaun is, indeed, a cleaned up version of the folklore cobbler-fairy. The less admirable traits of leprechauns tend not to be the elements we like to recall at St. Patrick’s day. But bring on the rainbows and pots of gold! Here are are 25 St. Paddy’s Day sweets, including a cute leprechaun cupcake and chocolate-marshmallow leprechaun hat cookie.
The word leprechaun is believed to be derived from the Irish leath bhrogan, meaning “shoemaker.” According to the folklore, if you are lucky enough to capture one of these fae creatures, he’ll barter you his freedom for his treasure — the coveted pot of gold. But you’d best be warned: Leprechauns are mischievous tricksters who will likely get the best of you in any deal brokering. Bits of the leprechaun folklore are wrapped up in the reason we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. It was believed that wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns, and if they couldn’t see you, they couldn’t pinch you. Dare to not wear green and you are subjecting yourself to the pinch. This, and quite a few other St. Patrick’s day superstitions are Irish-American cultural inventions.
If you enjoy the cleaned up version of the leprechaun, you will love these leprechaun cookies. Over at home.made.interest, Kat and Melinda whipped up some genius leprechaun treats made from Nutter Butter cookies, orange and green chocolate melts and clover shaped sprinkles. Here are 22 more wacky St. Patrick’s Day treats.
Do you have a favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipe to share? Tag us on Instagram @britandco.
(Photo via home.made.interest)
