Aside from the traditions mindlessly practiced, people do not commonly know why they typically associate green accessories, leprechauns, clovers and pinches with St. Patrick’s Day.

People celebrate St. Patrick’s Day annually on March 17, marking the anniversary of Saint Patrick’s death. Ireland titled Maewyn Succat, later called Saint Patrick, as the patron saint of the country. Born in Roman Britain, slave traders kidnapped him at 16 years old and brought him to Ireland. After he escaped, he returned to Ireland, bringing Christianity with him. His association with clovers derives from his religious practice, as Saint Patrick would use the plant to aid him in explaining the Holy Trinity.

The holiday started in 1631 in Ireland, mainly centering around religion and feasts. However, St. Augustine, Florida, hosted the first parade in 1601. According to National Geographic, “Although it was a Spanish settlement, St. Patrick’s was regarded as the patron saint of corn in the settlement.”

As mentioned before, one St. Partrick’s Day tradition involves food, particularly Americans enjoying corned beef with cabbage and potatoes. The influx of Irish immigrants who relied on inexpensive delis understood the enjoyment of these dishes.

People did not originally associate green with St. Patrick’s Day; they associated blue with the day. During the 1798 rebellion against Britain, Irish soldiers wore green, which then associated the color with the holiday.

The question of pinching still remains unanswered. According to the life and entertainment magazine Real Simple, one theory states that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns. Leprechauns derive from Irish folklore, which often described them as tricksters. However, pinching is entirely an American tradition. According to Irish Central, a newsletter discussing everything related to Ireland, “[Leprechauns] will pinch you as soon as you come upon their radar if you don’t wear green.”

Another unique tradition began in 1962 in the U.S., where city workers dyed the Chicago River green. City pollution-control workers used dye to trace illegal sewage discharge and eventually realized an opportunity to relate dye to St. Patrick’s Day. Workers now release 40 pounds of dye into the river.

Be sure to wear green the next St. Patrick’s Day because a leprechaun might be waiting to pinch you if they feel devious.