With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, people will soon be celebrating by wearing green clothing and enjoying some cold beer. The leprechaun—easily recognizable for its small stature, green suit, buckled shoes, red beard, and derby hat—has become the icon of the holiday. But where did leprechaun lore begin?
Eighth-century Irish folklore portrayed leprechauns as mischievous fairies. The name leprechaun is thought to come from either “luchorpan,” meaning small body, or “leath bhrogan,” meaning shoemaker. The legends of these creatures depict them as cobblers. Yet, each leprechaun was said to have his own pot of gold, often found at the end of a rainbow.
Despite their humble careers, leprechauns were believed to be tricksters who could not be trusted. Legend tells that any person lucky enough to spot and catch a leprechaun could offer him freedom in return for his gold. But leprechauns were deceptive by nature and arranging a deal with one could be risky.
While leprechauns of Irish myth originally wore the color red and a tri-colored hat, their image has changed over the centuries into the small green-clad men we’re familiar with today. One thing that hasn’t changed is that is has always been considered good luck to find a leprechaun, though the original legends tell of the creatures luring humans away for good with the promise of treasure.
Mischievous nature aside, leprechauns are said to be merrymakers who enjoy dancing and drinking. This more closely ties into modern celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day. Want to try your luck at winning a bit of your own treasure?
You can enter our giveaway simply by telling us one reason you feel lucky. Commenting below will serve as your entry for our March giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by March 25, 2018. One winner will be randomly selected on March 26, 2018 to receive a Welsh Red Dragon 1 oz colorized silver round from the Celtic Lore series.
May the luck of the Irish be with you!
I’m fortunate to have a full time job and a loving family!!!!!
I’m lucky because my son is TRULY lucky, so I’m leveraging his “luck” here. An example: I’ve been looking for 90% silver in pocket change for a while and haven’t found any. My son, just started recently, and finds a 1956 dime. Many instances like this…
I deployed 3 times to a combat zone and aside from rockets and mortars was never fired at nor ever had to draw my weapon most are not so fortunate
Plus my middle name is Odell
Been buying gold, silver and copper for 50 yrs now enjoy the hobby and with any luck precious metals will increase soon.
Luck to be healthy and have a great family.
Well I have been all over Libya ,Iraq ,& Sudan and have survived so far pretty lucky if you ask me .
I feel lucky and blessed to still have my wife of 49 years with me after her stroke 5 years ago.
I’m lucky to be celebrating my 59th birthday on the 28th. I didn’t think I’d see 50. Some free silver would be a great gift. Thanks guys.
My friends tell me that I must have a horseshoe up my rear end. This is why I feel lucky..
I feel lucky because of my wonderful family
I feel lucky because I woke up this morning, however, a lot of people didn’t!
It’s about time I drew the luck of the Irish. Have always loved the food, attire, and festivities of the Irish holiday. May the force be with me this St. Patricks Day.
I feel lucky every time I win the lottery. Well, that hasn’t happened quite yet, but if it did, I would feel very lucky. Every time.
I feel lucky to have health aloveing family
In a very strange time in history in the United States of America.
I am lucky to have a lovely family and to live in a country where we can be free. I am lucky to find a great surgeon to replace both my hips. I am lucky to have survived the “widowmaker” heart attack last May. I have a lot to be thankful for!
I am lucky because I have a wonderful family. Three grand-kids now and another due next month. Life is good as long as you enjoy it!
I feel lucky because everything that I have been blessed with has a beautiful story that goes with it. From the moment I met my husband to the first time that I held my sweet babies in my arms, every single precious moment was an accumulation of love, tears, laughter and incomprehensible feeling. I try to be thankful for these moments, but sometimes I forget. During life’s drudgery and mundane actions, I forget. But whether I am cleaning the whiskers from a just used sink or cleaning up the apple juice spill I remind myself, I wouldn’t be doing this if I was by myself. And this heavy thought takes my breath away. I’m with these wonderful, funny, intelligent beings and I will gladly wipe up messes. Because along with these messes are hugs, kisses, smiles and tinkling laughter that warm my heart. Oh yes, I am so very lucky.
I feel very lucky just to be alive. I survived cancer in 2017, and was diagnosed with severe emphysema in the same year. So yes, I feel very lucky!
What can I say, I’m a lucky man!!! Happy to be alive and share my life with friends and family. I cannot imagine a world without them. What can I say, I’m a lucky man.
I feel lucky because this will definitely be the comment you pick!
Feeling lucky to be able to spend time with family–my wonderful wife, fantastic kids and amazing grandkids!!
As a child, I wasn’t persecuted for my religion; didn’t have to fight, and scrabble to survive. Didn’t have to escape to BE here. Don’t have to slave to make a living here. Why not? My Fantastic Ancestors did all that for me. How grateful, and lucky am I ? . . Beyond mere words. As you should be, too.
Hi Provident,
I’m lucky I have 2 little beautiful girls and a loving wife and a loving family. Cant ask for more than that.
I not only FEEL lucky—I am LUCKY! I had triple by-pass back in 2001. I was told that the bypass could last about 10 years. Well, I’m still on the green side of the grass! I continue to thank the good LORD, my doctors and my loyal and dedicated wife. And I’m even able to buy some P.M’s from PROVIDENT (best prices ANYWHERE!) to put away for my progeny.
Thanks for this chance Provident! Fun.
I feel lucky because, not only am I Irish, but I have a loving wife and the best family a man can ask for.
I feel VERY Lucky! I recently finished battling cancer for a year and a half and I won! Clean bill of health.
I am lucky – my husband died when our kids were 4 & 8. I raised them alone and they are 19 & 23 now. One is graduating from college and the other is a freshman with a 4.0 gpa. They are smart, kind, generous, and good help to their mom. I hope to leave them my little pile of silver when I go – but I hope not for a long time!
I’m really lucky. I bought a monster box of walking liberties for $17.50 each on this website!
I feel lucky (or rather blessed) because my daughter is going to have my first grandchild this year!
I feel lucky because I haven’t walked under any ladders, crossed a black cats path or spoken or written the number 13. I have fist bumped a leprechaun once.