Why do you wear green on St. Patrick's Day?

Answer 1

subject:Jesse
question:Why do you wear green on St. Patrick's Day?
answer: because it was the colour of saint patrick's shamrock (three leaf clover) which he used to intrduce christianity to ireland each leaf representing one part of the Holy Trinity).
Also, green was the colour of sympathy for independence in the late 18th Century when Ireland was still struggling for independence from Britain - so much so the Britain actually banned the "wearing of the green" around that time.
On St. Patrick's day it is common for people in Ireland and abroad (especially those with Irish ancestors) to wear green - either a piece of Shamrock or a green item of clothing.
also cause you get pinched if you don't
additional details: anyways enjoy the small history lesson

Answer 2

Historically, it comes from the fact that under the English domination, people were actually not allowed to wear green. Because to Irish, green represented their country (take a look at any landscape picture of Ireland and you know why), the English didn't want to see it.

Today, Irish (and non-Irish who are Irish for the day) wear green (usually a shamrock in the lapel) to symbolize their Irish identity and make up for when they feared wearing it and getting killed/

Under the English, if you were caught speaking Gaelic (the traditional Irish language) or wearing green, they would kill you. One of the more traditional Irish songs is called The Wearing of the Green. I've included the liyrics below:

O Paddy dear, an' did ye hear the news that's goin' round?
The shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground;
St. Patrick's Day no more we'll keep, his colour can't be seen,
For there's a cruel law agin the wearin' o' the Green.

I met with Napper Tandy, and he took me by the hand,
And he said, "How's poor old Ireland, and how does she stand?"
She's the most distressful country that ever yet was seen,
For they're hangin' men an' women there for the wearin' o' the Green.

Then since the colour we must wear is England's cruel red,
Sure Ireland's sons will ne'er forget the blood that they have shed,
You may take a shamrock from your hat and cast it on the sod,
It will take root and flourish there though underfoot it's trod.

When law can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow,
And when the leaves in summer-time their colour dare not show,
Then will I change the colour, too, I wear in my caubeen
But 'till that day, please God, I'll stick to wearin' o' the Green.

But if at last our colour should be torn from Ireland's heart,
Her sons with shame and sorrow from the dear old isle will part;
I've heard a whisper of a land that lies beyond the sea
Where rich and poor stand equal in the light of freedom's day.

O Erin, must we leave you driven by a tyrant's hand?
Must we ask a mother's blessing from a strange and distant land?
Where the cruel cross of England shall nevermore be seen,
And where, please God, we'll live and die still wearin' o' the green!

Answer 3

Just because the country where St. Patrick was from, Ireland, is called the green country. In fact he was born in Wales.

Answer 4

People wear green on St. Patrick's Day because it is a sign of good luck and i hope of not to get pinched and punch.

Answer 5

Since it is considered 'rude' to do so on this day, I wear orange for having a Scottish background.

Many years ago, someone even dared to paint an orange stripe along the NYC parade route for their St. Patrick's Day celebration. It caused quite a stir!

Answer 6

Because Green reminds me o home! Those lecprichans are jus crazy this time of year!

Answer 7

Hello all,

Shamrock green is the color of green used in the flag of Ireland, and therefore it is also called Irish green. It represents the color of Shamrocks in what is poetically called the "Emerald Isle" for its emerald-colored vegetation.

Not entirely my answer. I swiped it off Wikapedia.

Have a nice day.

Cheers,

Ed from Jakarta (currently in Perth WA)

Answer 8

Because if I don't everyone asks: Why aren't you wearing green? (as my heritage is pretty clear, looks wise) and also most of my wardrobe is shades of green (goes w/ the hair well so it isn't really that much of a stretch to do so.

Answer 9

Because green is the national colour of the Emerald Isle.

Answer 10

only my eire soccer jersey :) My college constantly has a eco-friendly Day, the place we gown in eco-friendly to develop money for charity :) That became on the instant, and we've been given €4,500 :D i might placed on eco-friendly knickers =]