Saint Patricks Day

In previous posts, I have identified Saint Patrick's Day links here, here, and here. The link under the title goes to the symbols which have been a shorthand for religious meanings for millennia. (All right, I don't have an actual link.) While most of our reference books point to the Christian art, symbols were highly political and social means of identifying one's values and choices. Some symbols were paid for by blood and sacrifice and if you are so inclined to raise a toast, nonalcoholic, remember the price of saints like Patrick and other earlier Christians among your festivities.