On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on March 17th every year, people around the world wear green clothing and accessories. From shirts and pants to hats and jewelry, the streets are filled with green on this holiday. But have you ever wondered why the color green is so closely associated with St. Patrick’s Day instead of another color like blue?
In this article, we’ll explore the history behind St. Patrick’s Day and the meaning behind the color green to understand why it has become the iconic color choice for March 17th festivities. We’ll also look at some interesting facts and statistics around green apparel on St. Patrick’s Day that show just how strong this tradition is today.
The Story Behind St. Patrick and the Color Green
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland known for bringing Christianity to the Irish in the 5th century AD. According to legend, he used the three-leaf clover, also known as the shamrock, to explain the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to the pagan Irish. This is why the shamrock has endured as one of the most iconic symbols of St. Patrick’s Day and Irish culture in general.
But why is the color green so strongly associated with St. Patrick and Ireland? There are a few origin theories that help explain it:
- The color green represented the shamrock plant that St. Patrick used for his teaching.
- Green was commonly worn by Irish fairies and immortals in folklore, which St. Patrick integrated into his teachings.
- Green is the color of spring when St. Patrick’s Day takes place, symbolizing growth and rebirth.
- Under British rule, Irish nationalists wore green as a defiant symbol of Irish pride against British red.
Over time, green evolved into the official national color of Ireland along with being closely tied to St. Patrick’s Day festivities across the globe.
When Did Wearing Green Become a St. Patrick’s Day Tradition?
The early Irish immigrants who came to America in the 1700s were the first to hold annual St. Patrick’s Day parades and parties. Over the years, these gatherings included Irish cultural traditions like wearing green, eating Irish dishes, and drinking beer.
During the early 20th century, people celebrating St. Patrick’s Day wore green carnations and shamrocks to show Irish pride. Wearing green clothing expanded into a larger tradition by the 1930s and 1940s. Some key moments that boosted the trend:
- 1934: The song “Wearing of the Green” by Irish tenor John McCormack became popular, promoting the color green.
- 1962-1998: Chicago dyed their river green for St. Patrick’s Day, drawing major media attention.
- 1995: The first international marketing campaign by Guinness brewery used the slogan “Greenify Your Day” to spread St. Patrick’s Day green clothing and decor.
Today, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is observed by people of all backgrounds worldwide as a symbol of Irish culture and heritage.
Fun Facts and Statistics About Green on St. Patrick’s Day
Here are some interesting statistics and facts that demonstrate how popular and widespread the tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day has become:
- 75% of Americans plan to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day.
- $4.8 billion is spent on St. Patrick’s Day paraphernalia annually.
- The Empire State Building is lit up in green for St. Patrick’s Day.
- The Chicago River has been dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day since 1962.
- Green beer sales spike by over 460% around St. Patrick’s Day.
- Niagara Falls and the Pyramids of Giza also go green for the holiday.
To illustrate the popularity of wearing green even further, here is a table looking at the increase in green apparel sales around St. Patrick’s Day:
| Year | Increase in Green Apparel Sales Around St. Patrick’s Day |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 11% |
| 2016 | 17% |
| 2017 | 21% |
| 2018 | 25% |
| 2019 | 31% |
As you can see, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is now a staple celebration activity across the world. Even landmarks and businesses eagerly get in on the green fun!
Why Not Wear Blue on St. Patrick’s Day?
With such a strong green tradition, it may seem puzzling why the color blue is not more prominent on St. Patrick’s Day. Here are some reasons why green won out over blue:
- Blue was associated with British rule in Ireland, while green represented Irish nationalism and independence.
- The Irish word “gorm,” meaning blue, also referred to foreigners. Green or “uaine” had more positive connotations.
- In heraldry, blue was used among British order while green held importance in Irish coats of arms.
- The original Irish flag from 1848 was green, not blue. It became the inspiration for the Irish tricolor flag adopted in 1919.
So despite blue often being found on the Irish flag, green holds much deeper cultural symbolism for the Irish people and St. Patrick’s Day traditions.
Conclusion
In summary, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day began as a way for Irish immigrants to show their heritage but has now become a worldwide phenomenon. The color green is intrinsically tied to Irish culture, folklore, nationalism, and of course the story of St. Patrick himself. While other colors like blue are sometimes present in Irish iconography, green remains the quintessential St. Patrick’s Day color.
From shamrocks to green rivers to sales spikes in green beer and apparel, the tradition of wearing green on March 17th is stronger than ever. So next St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to sport some green clothing or accessories to celebrate Irish pride!
