Last Updated on September 19, 2023 by Kimberlee Johnson
Many people wear green to celebrate Irish culture on St. Patrick’s Day. But there’s one color you should avoid, and that’s orange.
Last year, I saw some people wearing that color, and it caused others to raise their eyebrows and some to give curious glances.
So, why should you not wear orange on St. Patrick’s Day?
In this brief introduction, I’ll share the historical significance behind avoiding orange attire on St. Patrick’s Day. Read on.
Why Shouldn’t You Wear Orange To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
Wearing orange [1] on St. Patrick’s Day is not a great idea because it shows that you supported the English rulers, and it might upset and cause tensions.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish culture and people coming together, so wearing orange, representing a different loyalty, can cause problems.
“Orange is the color of the sun. It is vital and a good color generally, indicating thoughtfulness and consideration of others.”
– Edgar Cayce, American Clairvoyant
While both colors can be St. Patrick’s Day colors, it’s better to wear green to show respect for Irish heritage and unity instead of accidentally sending the wrong message with orange.
Is It Offensive To Wear Orange?
It could be either yes or no, but in any case, we’ll break it down for you.
The wearing of orange on St. Patrick’s Day has been a long-debated tradition.
Many people believe that wearing orange on St. Patrick’s Day is offensive because orange is associated with Protestantism, while green is associated with Catholicism and, therefore, the Irish.
This is why many people believe that wearing orange on St. Patrick’s Day shows disrespect towards the Irish and the holiday itself.
On the other hand, many people don’t see anything wrong with wearing orange on St. Patrick’s Day.
Some people see it as a way to celebrate their Protestant heritage and still participate in the holiday festivities.
They may wear orange to show their pride in their Protestant faith and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with their Protestant friends and family.
Why Do Some Wear Orange On St. Patrick’s Day Rather Than Green?
Orange is often considered the alternative color to green on St. Patrick’s Day.
The idea of wearing orange on St. Patrick’s Day is rooted in Irish history. In the 1700s, there was a Protestant group called the Orange Order in Ireland.
“On St. Patrick’s Day, let’s embrace the green and the unity it represents, rather than wearing orange, which reminds us of divisions from the past.”
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They opposed the Catholic majority and wanted to keep Ireland Protestant. Nevertheless, the group adopted orange and began wearing it on St. Patrick’s Day.
To this day, some Protestants wear orange to show their Protestant pride on St. Patrick’s Day. But is it okay to wear a kilt on St. Patrick’s Day?
What Is The True Color Of St. Patrick’s Day?
Before the modern association of St. Patrick’s Day with the color green, blue [2] was the most often associated with the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint.
This likely stems from the color of the vestments worn by St. Patrick himself, which was a deep shade of blue.
In fact, blue was also the official color of the Order of St. Patrick, a chivalric order of knighthood founded in 1783 by the British monarch George III.
The Order’s badge was a gold harp on a white oval with a St. Patrick’s Blue background.
Plus, the blue flag of the Society of United Irishmen, a political organization of the late 18th century, was also often flown during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
However, green is most commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day today.
It is likely due to the popular myth that St. Patrick himself used the shamrock, a three-leaf clover, to illustrate the concept of the Holy Trinity.
And the shamrock is a bright green, and the combination of the shamrock and St. Patrick’s Day has become inseparable.
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Why Do Irish People No Longer Wear Blue On St. Patrick’s Day?
It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that green became Ireland’s predominant color.
Since green was a symbol of the Irish Republican movement, it was sought to gain independence from the British.
This movement associated itself with green, eventually replacing blue as Ireland’s color.
As a result, green has become the predominant color associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
Related Post: 10 Green Outfits For Men On St. Patrick’s Day
What To Wear If You Don’t Have Any Green For St. Patrick’s Day?
A festive, green-themed accessory is a great way to show your St. Patrick’s Day spirit without going all out with a head-to-toe green ensemble.
Or a shamrock headband or a pair of clover earrings can be a subtle and stylish way to join in the celebration.
Besides, if you have a white or light blue shirt, wear a green plaid scarf or a green patterned cardigan as an accessory, or opt for a muted olive green blouse or shirt.
Indeed, the possibilities are endless, and you can tailor them to your style. Check out these simple outfits you can wear for St. Patrick’s day here.
FAQs
Why do you get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day if you don’t wear green?
It was believed that if you wore a green color, the leprechauns would not see you and be considered one of them.
Hence, if you’re not wearing green clothing on St. Patrick’s Day, you will probably get pinched by a leprechaun.
What do the colors of St. Patrick’s Day represent?
Green symbolizes the nation’s Catholic majority, orange symbolizes the Protestant minority, and white symbolizes a peaceful unity between the two.
Is it a good omen to kiss an Irish person on St. Patrick’s Day?
Technically, whether you can perceive it as a good omen is a myth.
The tradition of kissing an Irish person on St. Patrick’s Day stems from the belief that good fortune will follow those who kiss the Blarney Stone at Ireland’s Blarney Castle.
Bottom Line
So, when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, it’s important to remember that the color orange should not be part of your outfit.
Wearing green is the way to go if you want to show your Irish pride and ensure you don’t offend anyone.
After all, the color green is associated with the country and its culture, so why not stick to it? Plus, showing your support for Irish culture and its people is great.
References:
- https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/06/health/colorscope-orange/index.html
- https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-does-the-color-blue-mean-spiritually
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