St. Patrick's Day Clothing: The Wearing of the Green

Green Suits Dresses Hats and Clover Covered Clothing Abound

St. Patrick's Day Clothing: Wearing of the Green

On the March 17th St. Patricks Day holiday folks are busy digging out their lucky green clothing. They don green hats, shorts, and hats. Wearing shamrock covered shirts, skirts or pants and with tushies up in the air they busily search the grass under their feet for a sighting of a rare four leaf clover for luck. Traditional behavior for this Irish holiday indeed.

You will find folks drinking green milkshakes at McDonalds, green beer over at the local pub, and local restaurants even serve up green spuds to be dined upon. Green potatoes? (That one makes me feel a wee bit queasy).

But what concerns me on this holiday is the fact that I may be pinched black and blue if I forget to wear green. It has happened in the past and I am sure that it will likely happen again. It does cause a person to ponder the reasoning why there is a tradition for wearing of the green on this date. Always a curious individual I went searching out the facts and fallacies of this day and can now share with you a fairly reasonable reasoning behind this wave of going green on March 17th.

The Color Green Offers Respect for Ireland and the Irish People

Known as the Emerald Isle for it's lush green rolling hills and valleys Ireland has long been associated with the color green. It is Saint Patrick though who forever bonded the color green to Ireland and the Irish people.

St. Patrick was originally associated with the color blue but when he used the three leaf shamrock to explain the holy trinity to the Irish masses he created a spiritual significance to the wearing of the green shamrock.

In Saint Patrick's teachings the Shamrock was used to represent the Holy Trinity. The three leaves of the shamrock while each standing alone as an individual were also as one just as in the Holy Trinity. One leaf of the shamrock represented the Father, one the son, and one the Holy Spirit. Together they were united as one.

Saint Patrick's teachings of the Holy Trinity brought about a popular trend to wear a shamrock, and over time, to wear a shamrock came to be knows as to wear the green. On March 17 of the 1798 rebellion Irish soldiers wore green uniforms in support of Ireland. (March 17th being the date of Saint Patrick's death). The wearing of green is now a symbol of pride and support for Ireland and the Irish people. It also serves as protection from a St. Patrick's Day pinch.

Shamrock (Seamrog) Meaning: Young Clover or Little Clover

Green Irish Theme Hats for this Holiday

The Wearing of the Green by Orthodox Celts

A Pinch for Not Wearing Green on Saint Patrick's Day?

The tradition of recognizing St. Patrick's day was actually initiated within the United States by Irish Immigrants. Receiving a pinch for not wearing green on March 17th in honor of this day is believed to be a custom which also originated in the U. S.

Saint Patrick was a very popular minister of religion to the people of Ireland and although many mourned his passing on March 17th this date was not originally recognized as a day to celebrate his life.

Wearing green may be seen as a sign of respect toward those of Irish parentage so the March 17th pinch may be a small symbolic punishment delivered for not showing the necessary honor to the people of the Ireland.

Why we pinch someone for not wearing green on St. Patrick's day is not really known. The tradition may have began as a reminder to those who were negligent of wearing this traditional Irish color that they should be more respectful in the future.

A Kilt is an Ideal Option for Men or Women

It's a Traditional Color to Dress in on this Day

It is now a tradition for those of both Irish descent and those who are not to wear green on March 17th. A simple green belt, necklace, tie, or other accessory will do or you can go with an outfit to celebrate this day.

A leprechaun's hat will keep the pinch out of your day or style up in a green retro golf tam. These are hats that will show your Irish pride in classic style. Top of the mornin' to ya!

A nice green t-shirt or a gorgeous green dress. Just shade it light or shade it dark but be a wearing the green on this very special Irish holiday. A stylish emerald green vest and tie is ideal for this very special day. Show a wee smidge of pride for the Irish by wearing green on the March 17th St. Patrick's day holiday.

Do You or Don't You Give a Pinch?