Since the beginning of time, all across the world, there have been conflicts and war; a regrettable consequence when humans have extremely different beliefs. As we approach St. Patrick’s Day, I was thinking about the historical significance of the Irish, their history and their culture.

While in mainstream America, you’ll find most St. Patty’s Day revelers proudly wearing green, there is a deeper meaning to all three of the colors in the Irish Flag. Green is representative of Irish nationalism and Catholicism while orange represents Protestants (historically those who were loyal to the British Crown).

I believe that being proud of one’s culture and roots is not only admirable, but allows us to identify ourselves with our past.

But the white in the Irish Flag is the one I’m most interested in. The white represents peace between the two groups; something that took many years of conflict to arrive at and yet proof that it is possible.

If and when you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, whether you decorate with green or orange, or both, don’t forget to marry the two with some white in honor of peace where it has been found and in the hopes that others will soon find it too!