Wearing of the Green

St. Paddy's Day approaches. It's Paddy, from the Gaelic Padraig, not Patty. Across the land, people will be wearing green to show pride in their Irish heritage, or just to join the party.

Until the 20th century, blue, more than green, was the color associated with St. Patrick and Ireland. Early paintings  depict him in blue robes. The Presidential Standard (flag) of Ireland is a gold harp on a blue field. Blue is the color of the Irish coat of arms and the flag of Connacht.

In the 1830s, the Irish diaspora brought thousands to America. In Ireland St. Patrick's Day was a holy day of obligation filled with prayer and church services. But in America, the day took on more secular overtones. Originally, the "wearing of the green" meant donning a shamrock. Now, face paint, dyed hair and outrageous green attire are de rigueur on March 17. Parades fill the streets and merry-making fill the pubs. 

So hoist a pint of Guinness and a dram of poteen - Erin Go Bragh!- as ever BB

"The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad. For all their wars are merry and all their songs are sad." G.K. Chesterton