On March 5, the U.K. county of Cornwall celebrates St. Piran’s Day, its most important holiday. St. Piran is the patron saint of tin miners, an industry that was the keystone of Cornwall’s economy for centuries.
Although much of his life is shrouded in mystery, historians believe that St. Piran was a 5th-century bishop exiled from Ireland. When he was thrown into the sea to drown, he miraculously came ashore on Cornwall’s Perran Beach. There, the saint built a small chapel whose remains can still be observed today.
St. Piran is known for discovering the process of tin extraction, giving local miners the secrets of the county’s most important industry. He noticed a black stone leaking a white liquid when heated up by his fire — and tin mining in Cornwall was born. The Cornish flag, a white cross on a black background, represents this crucial revelation. Tin mining changed the economy of Cornwall and remained at the heart of its economy until the last mine shut down in 1998.
The holiday gained new popularity in the early 20th century as Celtic revivalists looked for ways to strengthen local pride. The holiday has been observed in almost all Cornish towns since the 1950s, complete with parades and public celebrations. The distinctive black and white flag can be seen flying across Cornwall in early March.
Customs associated with the holiday include re-enactments of St. Piran’s life, live music, and the consumption of traditional Cornish foods and copious amounts of alcohol.
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