Green is considered to be Ireland’s national color, and it is deeply woven into Irish culture and tradition. But why exactly is green seen as being so lucky or fortunate in Ireland?
The Color’s Connection to Irish Nature
One of the main reasons green is considered lucky in Ireland is because of the country’s lush, emerald-green countryside. Around 40 shades of green have been identified in the Irish landscape, which is full of rolling green hills, meadows, and valleys. The vibrant green countryside stands in stark contrast to the blue coastlines and seas that surround the island. So green is strongly associated with Ireland itself and the beauty of its natural landscapes.
Ireland’s greenery and nickname as the “Emerald Isle” come from its temperate climate that gives it up to 300 days of rainfall each year. All that rain keeps the countryside a beautiful, rich green. The 40 shades of green represent everything from yellow-tinged greens on grassy hillsides to deep forest greens in woodland areas. Even in winter, Ireland’s fields and landscapes remain predominantly green.
This connection to the land means green represents the luck of being born in a country so full of natural beauty and agricultural fertility. The lush greenness became linked with the prosperity and luck of the land itself.
Links to Irish Folklore and Mythology
The color green also factors heavily in Irish folklore and mythology, adding a layer of cultural meaning to the lucky color:
- Green is thought to represent the fairies and leprechauns of Irish legends, as it camouflages them in forest undergrowth where they are said to live.
- One of Ireland’s three former provincial kings was known as the Green King of Munster. His kingdom represented the lush, fertile lands of southern Ireland.
- Green is the color associated with St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. The St. Patrick’s Day holiday and the famous green shamrock symbol both tie into this folklore.
Leprechauns in particular are always depicted wearing green coats and tall green hats. Their magical powers are intertwined with Ireland’s green landscapes. So stories of leprechauns and their abilities, like turning objects into gold, add some Irish mystique to the color green being lucky and full of fortune’s favor.
The Color of Irish Nationalism and Revolution
During the revolutionary period of 1798-1921 when Ireland was fighting for its independence from British rule, green became the color associated with Irish nationalism and revolution.
Green, white, and orange were adopted as the colors of the revolutionary Irish flag. Wearing or displaying green became a sign of rebellion against British control and hope for an independent Irish state.
So the color green, especially when combined with Ireland’s other two national colors, represents the luck and fortune of Irish liberty after centuries of occupation. It is a defiant symbol of the Irish refusing to continue allowing foreign rule and oppression.
Signifying Irish Catholic Identity
The use of green to represent Irish nationalism and identity in the 1800s was closely tied to Irish Catholicism. Green’s Catholic connotations come from earlier Protestant rulers
