Cougar Cry
9
St. Patrick’s Day Lore
I St. Patrick's Day Pinch
School children have started a little tradition of their ovvn. They pinch classmates who
don't wear green on this holiday. Wearing green is strictly a U.S. custom, as the color
green is not popular in Ireland. Green is connected to the old green flag and a time
when Ireland was not free. Green is also a color connected with hope and nature.
Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish
I village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persua
sive eloquence. The 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 difficult to reach the stone.
Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward or downward, holding iron bars
for support.
The Luck of the Irish
Finding a four-leaf clover
The wearing of the green
Kissing the blarney stone
Superstitions
I When yawning, make the sign of the cross instantly over your mouth, or the evil spirit
^ will make a rush down and take up his abode with you. It is unlucky to offer your
I right hand in salutation, for there is an old saying, "A curse with the left hand to those
; we hate, but the right hand to those we honor." If the palm of your hand itches you
i will be getting money; if the elbow, you will be changing beds. Breaking a mirror
I brings seven years of bad luck, while two people washing hands in the same basin at
; the same time courted disaster.
My Wild Irish Rose
My Wild Irish Rose,
The sweetest flower that grows.
You may search everywhere,
fBut none can compare with my wild Irish Rose. A
My Wild Irish Rose,
The dearest flower that grows. ^jjjr
And someday for my sake, ***•
She may let me take.
The bloom from my wild Irish Rose