St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and what do you immediately think of? Four-leaf clovers, leprechauns, getting pinched, and… GREEN, of course! But, you may be wondering about the history of these silly-sounding traditions.
First, let’s start with pinching. As folklore would have it, the story behind why you get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day for not wearing green is because green makes you invisible to leprechauns, and leprechauns like to pinch people (because, why not!).
And, why green? According to Paul Finnegan, the Executive Director of the New York Irish Center, wearing green symbolizes Irish Republicanism, a nonsectarian movement from the late 18th century that campaigned for Ireland to become an independent republic. Then, in the 19th century, Irish immigrants started landing in America and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and their heritage by wearing this symbolic color. So, now that you know, go ahead and wear your finest green jewelry this St. Paddy’s day!