why wear orange instead of green on St Pattys Day?

Answer 1

If you are an Irish Protestant, rather than a Catholic, you may wear orange as a sort of protest or political statement.

Answer 2

Orange is the color that symbolizes the Northern, Protestant- majority part of the country. Most people of Irish descent in America however are from the South and are Catholic and therefore wear green which is the traditional color. However, wearing both orange and green would signify a belief in an Ireland united both North and South. That is why the flag of the Irish state is both orange and green because people there long for the entire country to one day be united.

Answer 3

The reason some wear Orange instead of Green is because in the days of Saint Patrick the Catholics and the Protestants were at War with each other over who had the "Correct" religion. (btw. they're still at war in Ireland) Therefore whatever the Catholics did the Protestants did the opposite. The Catholics wore Green, The Protestants wore Orange.

Answer 4

I'm guessing that is supposed to be, "Why NOT wear orange.....?"

It has to do with the English when they ruled Ireland, the English Crown outlawed the wearing of plaids, the playing of bagpipes, etc in both Scotland and Ireland. The difference between the Scottish kilt, and the Irish one is that Scottish ones are plaid, and Irish ones are traditionally green... it was illegal for "the wearing o' the green" and when Ireland regained its independence from England it became patriotic to wear green.. even though the flag is "White, Orange and Green"

there's also probably something about lucky 4-leaf clovers, since they're green... lol

Answer 5

I liked the snake bit, but suspect the religious angle is the more correct of the two. Probably because if the orange were to represent the snakes, how do you explain that the snakes would through rocks back.

Answer 6

To express yourself. But I think they will still pinch you. Luckily I have green eyes so I never have to worry about getting pinched on St. Pattys Day.

Answer 7

Green is Irish, green is good.
If you ain't Irish, you shouldn't wear green on St Pats Day, you should wear orange. Orange is not good.

Answer 8

Orange symbolizes the snakes that once were in Ireland that killed many. As custom, people would throw rocks at those that wore orange on St.Patrick's Day.

Answer 9

I think because Ireland has always been called the emerald Isle. Emerald being green you know

Answer 10

because Ireland is the emerald Ilse.no country is orange