St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17th every year to honor the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. The day commemorates Saint Patrick’s arrival in Ireland and his work in spreading Christianity throughout the country. Over time, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a largely secular holiday celebrated not just in Ireland, but around the world. One of the most iconic symbols associated with St. Patrick’s Day is the color green, which represents the Emerald Isle itself. But is it OK to wear other colors, like blue, on this festive day? Let’s take a closer look.
The Significance of Green on St. Patrick’s Day
Green is by far the most recognizable color associated with St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish. In Irish folklore, green came to represent the lush, verdant landscape of the Emerald Isle. The color green also reminds people of spring and the returning life associated with the season. Over time, wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day emerged as a way for revelers to visibly express their Irish pride and connection to the holiday.
Today, sporting green clothing or accessories has become a near-universal tradition on St. Patrick’s Day around the world. From green shirts and sweaters to hats, jewelry, and even artificially colored green beer, the color green is synonymous with March 17th festivities. For most people, “wearing of the green” is seen as a fun, spirited way to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day mood. So green has cemented itself as the quintessential St. Patrick’s Day color.
The Color Blue in Irish Culture
Although green dominates St. Patrick’s celebrations, the color blue also has strong connections to Ireland and Irish culture. In ancient Irish myths and legends, blue was considered one of the traditional national colors along with green and white.
Blue had special meaning in old Irish folklore. It represented healing and protection and was thought to ward off evil. Irish brides often wore blue dresses as a symbol of purity on their wedding day. Even today, some traditional Irish blessings and toasts call on the “luck of the Irish” with reference to the magical properties of blue.
Beyond folklore, blue is commonly found in modern Irish and Celtic symbols as well. The Irish presidential flag contains a field of royal blue. Ireland’s police force dons uniforms with blue accents. The Celtic cross, a famous Irish Catholic symbol, is emblazoned with a bright blue circle in the center.
So while green dominates public displays of Irish heritage today, blue has an equally long and important history as a symbolic color for Ireland and the Irish people.
Is Wearing Blue on St. Patrick’s Day Acceptable?
Given the strong cultural significance of both green and blue for Ireland, it begs the question – is it OK to wear blue on St. Patrick’s Day instead of the usual green? The short answer is yes, it is perfectly fine to sport blue for St. Patrick’s Day if you wish!
Though green remains the more popular choice, wearing blue on March 17th has become increasingly common and acceptable. Since blue is a traditional Irish national color with its own cultural meaning, it makes a fitting alternative or complement to green on this holiday.
Here are just some of the ways people commonly incorporate blue into their St. Patrick’s Day apparel:
- Wearing a blue shirt, sweater, dress, or other blue clothing as an accent color
- Sporting blue accessories – jewelry, hats, scarves, socks, shoes, etc.
- Adding blue embellishments like ribbons, buttons, or embroidery to an outfit
- Displaying blue in makeup choices, hair coloring, and nail polish
So feel free to proudly wear blue this St. Patrick’s Day alongside the traditional green. Whether you’re Irish yourself or simply celebrating Irish culture, blue is a meaningful, stylish way to display your heritage and get into the festive spirit.
Guidelines for Wearing Blue on St. Patrick’s Day
If you do opt to sport blue this St. Patrick’s Day, here are some guidelines to follow so your outfit remains festive and respectful:
- Aim for shades like navy, royal, or bright blue typical of Irish symbols
- Incorporate blue as an accent color and wear some green as well
- Add in other touches like shamrocks, Irish flags, or Celtic knots
- Consider blue styles that represent Ireland like Aran sweaters or Claddagh jewelry
- Avoid wearing all orange, which is symbolic of Protestantism
With these tips in mind, wearing blue on St. Patrick’s Day is a great way to display your Irish pride and knowledge of Irish culture while still honoring the traditional green so beloved on March 17th.
When Does Wearing Blue Become Inappropriate?
The only time wearing blue on St. Patrick’s Day could be seen as inappropriate or in poor taste is if:
| Situation | Why it’s Inappropriate |
| Wearing all orange or orange and blue together | Orange is a politically charged color associated with Protestantism in Ireland |
| Wearing Rangers soccer apparel | Glasgow Rangers soccer club associated with Scottish and British identity, not Irish |
| Wearing blue to explicitly make an anti-Irish political statement | Using blue solely to repudiate Irishness and St. Patrick’s Day meaning itself |
Outside of those specific scenarios, wearing blue on March 17th is perfectly festive and encouraged as part of celebrating Irish heritage!
Blue Attire for St. Patrick’s Day
Looking for some stylish blue accessories and apparel to wear this St. Patrick’s Day? Here are some festive Irish-themed suggestions:
- Navy Aran sweater with Celtic cable knit designs
- Blue tweed flat cap or newsboy hat
- Royal blue or teal Celtic knot pendant necklace
- Sapphire Claddagh ring representing love, loyalty, and friendship
- Blue skirt or trousers with green and white stripe accents
- Navy dress with emerald green sash
- Bright blue shoes or wellies decorated with shamrocks
Any of these blue items would make a stylish, meaningful addition to your St. Patrick’s Day outfit. Sláinte!
Conclusion
While green remains the most popular color for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, wearing blue is also acceptable and increasingly common. Blue has a long history of representing Ireland in myths, symbols, and folklore. Used respectfully, blue allows you to display connection with Irish culture while still honoring traditional green.
So don your blue and green proudly this March 17th! Any shade of blue accessorized appropriately makes a perfect addition to the worldwide St. Patrick’s Day festivities.