Have you ever noticed the tremendous role that color plays in representing and enriching certain holidays? For example, can you imagine Christmas without red holly berries and green pine trees? Or Halloween without orange pumpkins? Chanukah would certainly not be the same if white and blue were not its representative colors. There is no doubt that erasing traditional colors from holidays would change the depth of meaning of those special days, as well as our feelings toward them.
Green is the unforgettable color that has forever marked Saint Patrick’s Day and made it distinct and memorable. Saint Patrick’s Day, which began being celebrated by Irish immigrants to the U.S. in the 1700’s, was originally linked to the color blue. Green was adopted as the holiday’s main color later, in honor of “the Emerald Isle.” The clover, which Saint Patrick himself would use to his illustrate his teachings about Catholicism, is another of Ireland’s symbols that inspired the color green.
Most everyone wears green clothing on Saint Patrick’s Day. Those who don’t know they are in danger of being pinched. This tradition came from the Irish belief that wearing green renders one invisible to leprechauns, who will apparently pinch anyone they are capable of seeing (i.e., those not in green).
Today’s Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations are characterized by the color green. They often feature green drinks, green food, and green decor. The city of Chicago even dyes its river green each year for the Saint Patrick’s Day 
Parade! The parade is a festive affair, with individuals from all over the world in attendance. Last year’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade goers enjoyed “unseasonably perfect” weather in Chicago, and were reported to have had an excellent time.
What would Saint Patrick’s Day be like without the color green? It would still hold the same historical meaning, but would not have that special feeling that the much loved holiday evokes. Do you feel that colors “make” a holiday? What colors represent what holidays to you? Segmation would love to hear your thoughts on the connection between holidays and color. Feel free to share your ideas with us in the “comments” section below. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/18/st-patricks-day-in-chicag_0_n_1357073.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/15/st-patricks-day_n_1348003.html
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Outside The Lines 
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I love green!
“All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green.”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Thank you for your comment. Have a wonderful and fun Saint Patrick’s Day!
Love that you wrote about this – I am Irish … there are Leprechaun traps all over our house (that my 6 year old made) … in the am there will be green food coloring – aka. green pee, in the toilets – mischievous little devils they are 🙂
Thank you Shauna for your comment. Love your blog as well.
Thank you for your liking. I’m glad to have found your blog. It’s very cheerful! ciao
I certainly enjoy all of the different colors,
Easter with its pastels, Thanksgiving day with the colors of autumn, Christmas day with its red, green, silver and gold, Valentines day all red and white…..and now here we are, with St. Patrick’s day and the green of Spring starting to Spring up everywhere.
Yes to green and yes to Spring! Thanks for your comments. http://www.segmation.wordpress.com