The color blue: the forgotten symbol of St. Patrick's Day • Go-to-Ireland.com

When we think of St. Patrick’s Day, the image of a sea of green invading streets, pubs and even monuments around the world immediately springs to mind. Yet few people know that the original color associated with St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland was not green, but blue. Here’s a look back at the fascinating history of this forgotten color.

Blue, the original color of Saint Patrick?

A royal and sacred blue

Blue was once the emblematic color of St. Patrick – Go to Ireland.com

Before green became the emblem of Ireland’s national holiday, it was a much more sober shade that represented the country: blue. This link goes back to the time when the Order of St. Patrick, a chivalric distinction founded in 1783 by King George III, chose blue as its official color. This specific blue, often referred to as “St. Patrick’s Blue”, was worn by the knights and featured on some of the flags associated with Ireland.

But this choice was not only made in the 18th century. Some of the earliest depictions of St. Patrick have her dressed in blue, underlining her spiritual role and her importance in the Christianization of Ireland.

Going green: a story of rebellion

If blue was historically associated with St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland’s royal institutions, why has green supplanted it? Several factors explain this gradual change.

The clover and St. Patrick: Legend has it that St. Patrick used a three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish. This element gradually associated green with his figure and with the March 17 festival.
The Irish landscape: Nicknamed the “Emerald Isle” for its vast green meadows, Ireland has always had a strong association with this color.
Nationalist revolts: From the end of the 18th century, green became the symbol of Irish nationalism and the struggle against British domination. Blue, too closely associated with the monarchy and the Order of St. Patrick, was gradually abandoned in favor of green, which better symbolized Irish independence and identity.

Where else can you find blue in St. Patrick’s Day?

Although green now reigns supreme in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, blue hasn’t completely disappeared.

On the Irish presidential coat of arms: The official flag of the President of Ireland features a blue background with a golden harp, an enduring symbol.
In some universities and institutions: Some schools and historical organizations in Ireland continue to use blue as a tribute to the origins of the festival.
In fashion: Some people, in search of authenticity, choose to wear blue rather than green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Conclusion

While green is now inseparable from St. Patrick’s Day, we mustn’t forget that blue was long the emblematic color. A testament to a time when Ireland was still under royal influence, it is still present in some of the country’s official symbols. So, the next time you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, why not add a touch of blue to your outfit to honor this little-known history?