Wearing of the Green

On March 17th we celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. Not a lot is known about that famous saint except that he lived in the fifth century AD, was a slave in Ireland, escaped, and later returned there and became a bishop. Most other information about him is controversial and scholars don't agree about it.

But here in America Saint Patrick's Day seems to be largely about Leprechauns, shamrocks, and the color, green.

Why is that?

Well, Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, legends say he used the three-leaf clover (shamrock) to explain the concept of the Trinity, green is the main color on the Irish flag, and leprechauns are part of the Irish culture.

Basically, for those of us who aren't members of the Catholic church, this holiday is about Ireland. In schools kids learn a little about that country before the holiday and people of Irish heritage celebrate that.

When I was a kid anyone who didn't wear green on Saint Patrick's day would be pinched by other kids, who'd say a leprechaun had done it.

So be sure to wear something green on Saint Patrick's Day.