I had a professor in college who was of Irish Protestant descent. As March 17th rolled around she explained to us what that day meant to her and her ancestors, including where the tradition of wearing green on the 17th came from and why people pinch those who don’t.
The Irish flag is a field of green and a field of orange separated by a field of white. The green represents the Catholics. The orange represents the Protestants. And the white is in the hope of peace coming between the two.
On March 17th, in commemoration of the Catholic saint, Saint Patrick, the Catholics wear green. If you are not wearing green it means you are a Protestant. And the two have not gotten along historically. So historically, not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day meant you were someone the Catholics wanted to beat up. The “tradition” has of course been modified to simple pinching these days. But the history of it remains violent.
While I still wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, ever since I have also worn orange. I’d rather not be part of religious violence in any way, even if it’s “just for fun.”
I am an educator and PhD. I quilt, belly dance, run, read, and try to grow things. I am a Mormon. I am infertile. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter, friend, wife, and mom.
Brett L. Dennis
Mama g
Giggles
AmandaStretch
I never thought it was fun to get pinched anyway. :brett:
I never knew that. It is interesting. I wear green. Orange is not my color. Nothing religious, just fun to do.
I wear green and orange all year round. They happen to be two of my favorite colors. This year I wore one of my favorite dresses to church on Sunday March 16th. Someone asked if I was dressed for St Patricks Day a day early. I was surprised and said, oh is that coming up. I just wore one of my favorite dresses. And YES it was green. :tractor: