Why Do You Get Pinched on St. Patrick’s Day?

There are several superstitions people follow on St. Patrick's Day. Some of these traditions include wearing green until midnight or baking and enjoying Irish soda bread with family and friends to help protect your household. You may also remember enduring some uncomfortable St. Patrick's Day pinches from friends and family members.

Whether you follow these traditions or not, you may wonder what the deal is with the St. Patrick's Day pinch rule. Is this an ancient cultural practice or a silly game people play this time of year? Here's more about the St. Patrick's Day traditions we practice and where these pinching superstitions originated.

History of Pinching

It's common for people to wear green on St. Patrick's Day because of the holiday's association with Ireland's nickname, the "Emerald Isle," and its flag's colors. In addition, people wear green on this occasion since shamrocks are commonly associated with this holiday.

According to fun folklore, you get pinched on St. Patrick's Day for not wearing green because green makes you invisible to leprechauns. Leprechauns are mischievous creatures, and according to legend, they like to pinch people (because they can!).

If you wear green, leprechauns won't be able to see you, so you'll be free of any painful pinching. But if you're sporting any other color this holiday, you're easy to find for them to pinch.

St. Patrick's Day Pinching Rules

The reason why other non-leprechauns pinch someone not wearing green is to remind them that they should be. Here are some universal rules to consider if you take part in this holiday tradition.

• You must wear green clothing (rather than dye your hair green), which must be visible for all to see. Sorry, green socks tucked inside your sneakers won't do unless you can see them.
• If you end up pinching someone who is wearing green, they're allowed to pitch you back.
• If you aren't celebrating, you're not off limits either. You still weigh the chance to get pinched.

Why Do We Even Wear Green on St. Patrick's Day?

Before the 19th century, the color linked to St. Patrick was blue. However, green is now the more typical hue, thanks to Irish immigrants who came to America and celebrated St. Patrick's Day and their heritage by wearing this symbolic color.

Today, many wear this color (or flaunt their sparkling green eyes with pride) to honor their roots, for good luck (green is the color of the lucky shamrock, after all), and, of course, to stay safe from getting pinched.

Go ahead and don your finest green attire this St. Paddy's Day (yes, that's how you spell it) and have fun! But remember, people may not appreciate getting pinched (even after enjoying a stiff whiskey drink).