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 Actually, St. Patrick's
Blue
is the Saint's
own color. Green came into use in the 19th century and
is symbolic of
Ireland's lush green landscape; thanks to plentiful rain and mist,
the Emerald Isle is green year-round. The color green also
represents Spring and one of Ireland's national symbols, the
Shamrock.
a day to be spent with
the family. The Irish go to church, have picnics, play
football and race horses. They celebrate and have fun as we do
here and wear shamrocks in their lapels.
corned beef and cabbage is mostly an American tradition).
On Saint Patrick's Day
in America, green is traditionally worn and celebrations center on rejoicing and merrymaking. The first celebration of St. Patrick's Day in the U.S. was in
Boston in 1737. The "wearing of the green" is a part of the
day, just as are parades in many large cities. St. Patrick's Day
parades are an American invention. The most noted is along New York
City's Fifth Avenue in front of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, the first
having been held on March 17, 1766.
A
charming(?) custom that has evolved for St. Patrick's Day is that if
you don't wear something green on March 17th, anyone who catches
you, gets to give you a little pinch! Ouch!
The custom is believed
to have originated from a children's classroom myth from the 1800s.
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Celebrating in Ireland
