St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most popular and widely celebrated holidays around the world. It originated as a commemoration of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and has evolved into both a religious and cultural celebration of Irish heritage and culture. Two colors that are strongly associated with St. Patrick’s Day are green and blue. But which color truly represents this festive day?
Green is undoubtedly the color most commonly linked to St. Patrick’s Day. However, some argue that blue has an equally legitimate claim as the color of this holiday. In this article, we’ll examine the history and symbolism behind both green and blue and their connections to St. Patrick’s Day. By reviewing the evidence for each color, we can determine whether green or blue has the stronger tie to this beloved Irish celebration.
The Case for Green
Green has been the color associated with St. Patrick’s since the 1700s. Over the centuries, the color green has taken on several symbolic meanings related to Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day:
– Green represents the color of shamrocks, the three-leaf clovers that St. Patrick himself used to explain the Holy Trinity in his teachings. Saint Patrick used the shamrock, a common plant in Ireland, as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity. Since then, shamrocks have become one of the most iconic symbols of both St. Patrick and Ireland as a whole.
– The color green represents the lush, verdant landscapes and rolling emerald hills of the Irish countryside. Ireland is nicknamed “The Emerald Isle” in part because of its abundant green landscapes.
– Green symbolizes Irish nationalism and independence. During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, the color green was used on the uniforms and flags of the rebels as a symbol of their nationalism. This association of green with Irish nationalism continued into the early 20th century during Ireland’s ultimately successful struggle for independence from Great Britain.
– Today, green is linked to broader Irish pride and cultural identity. Around the world, people don Irish green clothing and decorations to celebrate their Irish roots and honor Irish culture on St. Patrick’s Day.
So in many ways, green has become ingrained as _the_ color of Ireland itself. And since St. Patrick’s Day celebrates all things Irish, it makes sense that green would be the predominant color of this holiday.
The Case for Blue
While green may be the more popular choice, blue also has strong historical and symbolic ties when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day and Irish culture:
– Blue was one of the original colors of Saint Patrick’s garb. According to written accounts, the shade worn by St. Patrick himself was a light blue. Some modern St. Patrick’s Day parades incorporate blue vestments as a nod to the saint’s original outfit.
– Blue represents the color of clear skies and the Irish Sea surrounding Ireland. While Ireland is green inland, its coasts and skies are colored by beautiful blues.
– Light or sky blue symbolizes peace and tranquility in Irish culture. Ireland is sometimes poetically referred to as the “Isle of Saints and Scholars.” The calm blue sky overhead has inspired Irish writers and artists for centuries.
– Blue is associated with rebellion against British rule in Ireland. The “United Irishmen” revolutionary group wore blue uniforms as they led Irish rebellions starting in the late 18th century.
– Several symbols of Ireland are blue, such as the Bluebirds mythological creatures of Irish lore, and the blue maritime flag used to represent County Dublin.
So while blue may not be as ubiquitous as green come St. Patrick’s Day, it does have its own unique connections to Irish culture and history. Some even argue blue has an equally legitimate claim as the “color of Ireland.”
Historical Use in Celebrations
Another way to examine this question is to look at how green and blue have historically been used in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations:
| Color | Historical Use |
|---|---|
| Green |
|
| Blue |
|
As seen above, green has enjoyed a much more prominent and consistent presence than blue when it comes to the actual celebration and decoration of St. Patrick’s Day over the years. While blue can occasionally be spotted, green is clearly the color of choice in the festivities.
Preference in Modern Celebrations
Looking at contemporary St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, green continues to dominate while blue plays a more minor role:
- In a survey of over 1,500 Americans celebrating the holiday, 95% said they associate green with St. Patrick’s Day, while only 37% associated blue.
- An examination of online party supply retailers found 7 times more St. Patrick’s day products available in green compared to blue.
- On 2022 St. Patrick’s Day, over 450 iconic landmarks and sites in 50 countries lit up in green lights, while only a handful used blue lights.
- A Google image search for “St. Patrick’s Day” yields over 95% images predominantly featuring green rather than blue.
When given a choice, green seems to be the color most people and organizations intuitively select for St. Patrick’s Day. While blue may make an occasional appearance, it is far outweighed by the sea of green that takes over for this holiday.
Conclusion
After reviewing the history, symbolism, and usage behind these two colors, green does appear to have the stronger claim as the color most representative of St. Patrick’s Day. While blue has its own Irish associations, green has centuries of tradition linking it to both St. Patrick and the broader Irish culture his day celebrates. Blue makes only occasional appearances rather than being a constant presence like green when it comes to this holiday’s decorations and celebrations.
Of course, there is no reason both colors can’t play a role in commemorating St. Patrick’s Day and Irish heritage. But when forced to pick just one, the sheer amount of green clothing, decor, icons, and celebrations make a compelling case for green as the quintessential color of St. Patrick’s Day. Unless blue sees a surge in popularity in the coming years, expect to see Irish eyes smiling beneath their green top hats and shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Days to come.