Most festivities are linked to traditions that go back centuries, with some having religious or cultural origins. Every country has this, and these festivities play a vital role in keeping traditions alive and shaping cultural identity. In Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is the most well-known festivity apart from international holidays.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every March 17th, the traditional death date of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Canadian province of Montserrat. The day is celebrated by going to parades, eating traditional Irish foods, drinking Irish beers, and the most apparent custom of all: wearing green. While the other activities make sense in a festive context, wearing green holds a deeper meaning that few people know about.
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The Colors of St. Patrick’s Day
While you will see green everywhere during St. Patrick’s Day, it is worth noting that it is not the color that represents the patron. Blue is the color associated with St. Patrick, used in the Order of St. Patrick, a chivalric order established in 1783. The order was intended to recognize the Irish nobility, and its members wore blue sashes.
As for green, it is worn on St. Patrick’s Day to represent Ireland, often referred to as The Emerald Isle. Green is also associated with the Irish flag, which has a green stripe. This green stripe symbolizes Ireland’s Catholic population, the orange stripe stands for Protestantism (more on this later), and the white stripe represents peace between the two religions. Green is also associated with St. Patrick, who used shamrocks to teach people about the Holy Trinity, making it a fitting color to celebrate the holiday.
Of course, the only other St. Patrick’s Day icon are leprechauns. Legend has it these mischievous little people used to wear red and gold jackets with pointy red hats. Nowadays, they are typically seen wearing green, and it is said that they pinch anyone not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day. As a result, many people wear green on St. Patrick’s Day to avoid being pinched. Some people even go so far as to dye the Chicago River green to ensure they’re covered.
Why Did People Stop Wearing Blue?
Blue has been part of Irish culture for centuries, with its original significance rooted in mythology and folklore. In the early days of St. Patrick’s Day, blue was connected to Irish royalty and sovereignty. Henry VIII declared blue to be the official color of Ireland when he became King. Although less common today, blue is still a beloved color associated with the Irish holiday, connecting the Irish to their past and heritage.
The Irish people became increasingly displeased with the status quo as the years passed. To stand up for their culture and identity, they embraced St. Patrick’s shamrock as a symbol and made the color of Irish pride green. In short, the green of St. Patrick’s Day symbolizes nationalism.
Where Does Orange Fit?
As mentioned, orange is also a color of St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day is a Roman Catholic holiday celebrated in Ireland, but not all Irish people are Catholic. There is a difference in the traditional colors between Catholic and Protestant Irish people. Catholic Irish people associate green with the holiday, while Protestants associate orange with the holiday due to the Protestant King William of Orange overthrowing the Catholic King James II.
Protestants in Ireland historically used orange to show their loyalty, while Catholics used green. The Irish flag uses both colors to represent the peaceful coexistence of both religions. Therefore, while both colors can be seen as St. Patrick’s Day colors, it is generally better to stick to green when celebrating the holiday, as orange may symbolize loyalty to the English.
Conclusion
St. Patrick’s Day is a storied holiday that celebrates Irish culture and history. While orange and blue can be worn as part of the festivities, green is the traditional holiday color, so getting into the holiday spirit is best done by donning some green apparel. During the holiday, all that matters is having a good time with a green ensemble.
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