why cant you wear orange on st. patricks day?

Answer 1

Who says you can't? You can wear whatever you'd like! There are no laws regarding this last I checked.

Answer 2

I don't think it would make a difference in the states or in the republic
But here [northern Ireland] it is DEFINITELY political statement, its like wearing green during the 12th[protestant march].
Its considered offensive to do it and if orange is worn here on St Patricks it isn't because the person is proud of being a unionist, they are disrespecting you and making a statement.
So you can wear orange, just don't be surprised if someone takes a dislike to you on that day, brought it upon yourself really.
And not everyone in the north is protestant, just to clear that.
The unrest and colours aren't because of religion [its just another difference, not a cause] it is because of politics and political views.
Wearing orange isn't celebrating your 'protestantism' on St Patricks day, it is proclaiming your opposition to nationalism.
I dont know where the idea of Irish protestant wearing orange came from, anyone who would wear orange here, would definitely not consider or call themselves Irish, and if they did identify as being Irish protestant, they wouldn't wear orange on St Patricks day.

Answer 3

The way I understand it Irish Protestants wear orange on St. Patrick's Day to proclaim their difference from Irish Catholics, who wear green. In the USA it's traditional for just about everyone to wear green and be "honorary" Irish for the day. Most of us (Americans) don't usually think of it as a religious holiday, so if you see someone wearing green it does not necessarily mean the person is Catholic. But wearing orange would mean the person is definitely not Catholic and could possibly be considered insulting to those who prefer to celebrate the day by wearing green.

Answer 4

Because st. patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. People wear green because it's the National colour of Ireland.
Orange is the National colour of Northern Ireland or at least for the fighting in the North.
Think of the Irish flag;
1- green = meaning Ireland(Ireland united)
2-Orange= the North (troubles and fighting in North)
3-White = This is in the centre, it means peace between the 2, orange and white

Answer 5

The flag of Ireland has both green and orange stripes. The orange stripe represents the Protestants, green is for Catholics. There is a lot of political strife between those two religious groups, so to wear orange is like making a political statement.

Answer 6

Here is the explaination from an Irish immigrant, lol. It's a religious sort of thing because orange symbolizes the Protestants of Ireland, and green represents the Catholics, which make up 90% of Ireland.

But just for the record, I wear it. (Protestant) ;)

Answer 7

it's considered offensive if you wear orange on St. Pattrick's day. I usually wear orange (because I'm protestant and because of my British heritage). My grandmom is British and my dad when I was younger explained to me that often the British don't wear green on March 17th. The Republic is Catholic and Northern Ireland (part of the UK) is Protestant. (It's pretty much a political issue).

Answer 8

because orange is the colour of unionism (british) in ireland, and st. patricks day is a nationalist celebration. it's to do with irish politics

Answer 9

your apparently american or going to be round human beings. that's no longer unlucky to positioned on orange, donning of the fairway is a few thing made up by ability of human beings, yet in case you dont want human beings look at you humorous upload a touch eco-friendly and white to the outfit. that's a really undesirable idea to positioned on a union jack! because many Northern Irish have moved into the U.S.

Answer 10

It's just the custom.
I guess it's the same reason that Christmas colors are red and green.