My grandparents were "orange Irish". My Granda rode a white horse in the Orangeman's Parade. Grandma always wore a white dress and a big orange coursage, and rode in an open carriage.
These days, when I say I'm orange Irish, everyone looks at me funny.
When I worked in the school, I wore green because the kids felt they could pinch you if you didn't have green on. But that day, I always wore an orange flower in my hair for Grandma. I didn't care that the colors looked strange together, either.
Even stores, or our local casino, offer giveaways to celebrate St Patty's Day, but you have to be wearing green to qualify for their contests.
Is anyone else out there orange Irish? Would you admit it if you are?
2007-03-02 18:00:01 · 5 answers · asked by kiwi 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ St. Patrick's Day
Well, like you, I wear green to keep from getting pinched.
I know that St. Patrick used a shamrock, which is like a three-leaf clover, to explain the concept of the trinity (Father, son, holy ghost).
I always thought we wore green because it is the same color as that shamrock but it could also be to signify that spring has arrived and everything is green again.
It's really sweet that you wear the orange flower to remember your grandmother. That is a beatiful tradition.
Since I celebrate my wedding anniversary on this day, I have to say it is one of my favorite holidays.
I also found this really great Yahoo Answer about the pinching topic:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070219200838AAsEaFY
2007-03-02 18:13:16 · answer #1 · answered by lorilou 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The "orange" are the protestants of Ireland. Many sided with the British and there were many troubles. The flag of Eire is orange, white and green, the white is for the truce between the Orange and the Green in Southern Eire. The protestant Orange isn't not too thrilled about the Green Catholic St. Patrick's Day.
2007-03-03 02:07:44 · answer #2 · answered by Terry 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone I know wears green, and honestly before Yahoo Answers I didn't even learn the option to wear orange, or the significance. I think it is absolutely perfect and sweet and a touching tribute to your Grandparents to wear an orange flower in your hair! That sounds like the perfect solution to me. Wear a touch of green for no other purpose than pride of country, and wear the orange flower for the religious and family significance.
2007-03-03 10:43:50 · answer #3 · answered by Sweet n Sour 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the USA we don't put any significance on the religious meaning that many attach to this holiday. Most don't know what the different colors mean. We settled our differences about religion long ago. KISS the Irish. BTW...It's my birthday!
2007-03-03 04:11:02 · answer #4 · answered by Pat C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put an Orange on top of your head
2007-03-03 02:05:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋