The Color Green
Ireland’s national color was, at one time, St. Patrick’s blue. By the 19th century, the color green had taken its place. During Queen Victoria’s reign, her Irish regiments were forbidden to "wear the green", meaning to display the shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day.
Long before St. Patrick, the green of grass, of shamrocks, and of all growing things had special meaning to the Irish. It was a symbol of springtime. At this time of year, like other people of ancient times, the Irish honored the gods and goddesses of plant life. Then with the coming of St. Patrick and other missionaries, some of the old pagan rites became linked to important days in the Christian calendar. Gradually, Easter and St. Patrick’s Day took the place of the ancient pagan celebration of springtime. Covered with green valleys, fields, and pastures, Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle.
