St Patrick’s Day – Why Green…?
Karen Haller
If I asked you what’s the first colour that comes to mind when you think of Ireland, it’s likely to be green. On March 17th, the Irish the world over celebrate their patron saint. But how did the colour green become associated with St Patrick and become a good luck colour?
There are many thoughts on this, however a popular belief relates to the shamrock representing the Trinity, that God is three in one – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
In the 19th century the tradition of ‘the wearing of the green’ started. This meant wearing an item of green clothing or a shamrock.
No surprise that green is also the national colour. It’s not called the Emerald Isle for nothing/
Surrounded by so much green, is it any surprise that it became Ireland’s lucky colour.
And if we look at the three ways we relate to colour, this comes under colour symbolism, also known as colour in culture. This is where the meaning we give to colour through tradition, belief, and shared experience shapes how we feel when we see it in this context.
Over time, this association with green became part of Irish identity, which is why the colour is so strongly linked to St Patrick’s Day celebrations today.
St Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world
It’s a day celebrated the world over with Irish music, food, culture and dancing. It was the Irish who immigrated to the US that really embraced St Patrick’s Day.
The New York parade is the largest and most famous of all the St Patrick’s Day parades with Chicago coming a close second.
On St Patrick’s Day, green isn’t just a colour, it’s a shared symbol of identity, celebration, and belonging.
St Patrick’s Day is all about having fun and celebrating, so get your green on and break out the corned beef and cabbage!
Which colour feels like it belongs to your country, or the place you grew up?
And if you love green, then check out my 5 Fun Facts About the Colour Green.
Wishing you a colourful day
Karen x
Images via unsplash: Four leaf clover – Yan Ming | Chicago River – Benjamin Rascoe | Green hat – Skyler Gerald | A piper Johnny Cohen
Originally posted March 17, 2011
Updated March 17, 2026
