In March, finding a four-leaf clover is hardly a stroke of luck. As the 17th of March nears, they seem to sprout up around eachcorner, blanketingeverysurface in green just as clover does out in the wilds of Irish landscape. So why are four-leaf clovers lucky?
Though they are a distinctly-Irish tradition, four-leaf clovers, or shamrocks as they are also known, are widely considered to be a symbol of luck, and a promise of good fortune to come.
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But a clover and a shamrock are not entirely the same. The word “clover” is a general term for the genus oftrifoliums (“three leaf”), which comprises 300 different species. What defines a shamrock has been moredifficult for scientists to pin downand remains somewhat mythic in the world of botany.
Many different representations exist in Celtic art, making it ambitiousto tie shamrock toa specific species. Thus the originalshamrock (the Platonic shamrock) remains a secret, shroudedsomewhere in the green hills of Ireland.
Originally, cloverwas a symbol of rebirth for the Celts, and its return to the landscape signaled the beginning of spring. The shamrock was sacred among the Druids and wasfrequently used in rituals.
Four-leaf clovers, possessing an extra leaf,were evenmorehallowed:Druids believed carrying oneallowed them to see demons and would ward off evil spirits, which is probably the talismanic belief that gave rise to the shamrock’s association with luck.
The modern celebrationof thethree-leaf shamrock developedlater, with Saint Patrick and the advent of Christianity in Ireland. Heralded as the patron saint of the Emerald Isle,Saint Patrick was actually born in Britain in 387 AD.
Kidnapped at age 16 by Irish raiders, Saint Patrick spent the following six years in captivity, working as a herdsman. During that time, he embracedChristianity with ardor and enthusiasm, and later in life returned to Ireland to preach his newfound religion.
It is saidthat in his mission work, which converted thousands to Christianity, Saint Patrick used the bountiful shamrock to explain the balance of unity and separation between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
After his death on March 17th (the exact year remains unofficial), Saint Patrickfell somewhat into obscurity.It was not until the 1700sthat Saint Patrick began to enjoy his current status of celebrity. In 18th-century Ireland,Irish Christians worethe shamrock both as a sign of prideand as a means to criticize English rule.
In America, which was rapidly becoming home to many Irish immigrants, the shamrock served asa symbolof solidarity and community. With time, the customevolved into simply wearing green clothing.
Outside of their prominent associations with St. Patrick’s Day, shamrocks and clover have many more obscure legends, mostlytied to the original Celtic connotation of luck.
The mother of mankind was said to havecarried a sprig offour-leafed clover with her from the Garden of Eden as she left. Thus, anyone with a four-leaf clover is believed to be carrying a bit of paradise with them.
Photo: Andreana Bitsis
The four-leaf clover is not souncommon, in spite of their reputation as uncommon harbingers of luck.It is estimated there is one four-leafed cloverfor every10,000 three-leafed clovers, occurringas a result of a mutation in the regular three-leaf. More unusual is finding clovers with more than four leaflets–five, six, seven, and a worldrecord of fifty-sixhave all been documented.
Beyond the superstitions, clover has real benefits. Itis high in protein and fiber, and can be incorporated into salads and smoothies. Among herbalists, red clover is revered as a cancer-fighting antioxidant. In the dirt,clover is beloved by farmers, as it aids other crops by nitrogen-fixing the soil.
Clovers aren’t only lucky for humans, though. The plant is incredibly important to bees, so much so that it is believed to be one of their favorite plants. The clover honey frequently sold in grocery stores (often in the familiar bear-shaped bottles) is sourced from bees who feed on clover.
Of the many varieties of honey that exist, clover honey has the broadest appealbecause of its milder floral taste.According to folk wisdom, clover also fattenscows (hence the cherished butter)–giving rise to phrase “to live in clover,” meaningto live luxuriously.
Across the many disparate threads of its origins, the shamrock and various leafed clovers have become international symbols of luck– not just for the Irish or the superstitious, but for all creatures great and small.
Just remember— if you’re looking for a little extra luck on March 17th,the luckiest clover you’ll find is the one you come across when you aren’t looking.
Cause. It is debated whether the fourth leaf is caused genetically or environmentally. Its relative rarity (1 in ~5,000 clovers) suggests a possible recessive gene appearing at a low frequency. Alternatively, four-leaf clovers could be caused by somatic mutation or a developmental error of environmental causes.
Cause. It is debated whether the fourth leaf is caused genetically or environmentally. Its relative rarity (1 in ~5,000 clovers) suggests a possible recessive gene appearing at a low frequency. Alternatively, four-leaf clovers could be caused by somatic mutation or a developmental error of environmental causes.
Whether worn as a charm, displayed in homes, or sought after in fields and meadows, the four-leaf clover remains a beloved emblem of hope, faith, love, and luck, connecting us to our past and to each other through shared traditions and beliefs.
According to pagan legends, each leaf has a meaning. The first would bring fame, the second leaf would bring us wealth, the third love, and the fourth health. But in the Christian and Catholic tradition each leaf corresponds rather to a virtue.
In the early days of Ireland, Celtic priests known as Druids carried three-leaf clovers, or shamrocks, in the belief that with their help, they could see evil spirits approaching and be able to escape. Four-leaf clovers, then, were Celtic charms, offering magical protection and warding off bad luck.
No wonder they're said to bring extra good luck. It's not actually as hard as you might think to find a four-leaf clover, or even a five-leaf clover. Since they're so small, your eyes can scan a huge number at a time.
Statistical analysis website Minitab says the odds of finding a four-leaf clover on the first try are 10,000 to one, while the odds of finding a five-leaf clover on the first try are one million to one. Five-leaf clovers are also meant to bring more luck and financial success to the finder than a four-leaf.
Throughout the centuries we have identified it with good luck and the legend of the four-leaf clover dates back to Biblical years. Subsequent to the banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden; Eve took a four-leaf clover with her to remember the splendor and majesty of paradise.
The most four-leaf clovers found by an individual is over 111,000 in a period of fifteen years. No word on his lottery winnings. And remember—to find a four-leaf clover is lucky, but give it to a friend and your luck is doubled.
What does a four-leaf clover symbolize? Four-leaf clovers, aside from being considered good luck, are said to be symbols of faith, love, hope and good fortune. Unlike shamrocks, which have three leaves, four-leaf clovers aren't considered religious symbols, especially not in Ireland.
The Shamrock emoji ☘️ was approved under Unicode 4.1 in 2005 and Emoji 1.0 in 2015. Be sure not to confuse the Shamrock emoji ☘️ with the Four Leaf Clover emoji 🍀, which has four lobes. While both the Irish and four-leaf clovers are associated with good luck, the Four Leaf Clover emoji 🍀 is not a symbol of Ireland.
According to the legend, the leaves of a four-leaf clover represent hope, faith, love, and a fourth for good luck. A common belief during the Middle Ages was if someone carried a four-leaf clover, they would have the ability to see fairies.
The belief in the luckiness of the four-leaved clover can be traced back to ancient Druids who believed that it had mystical powers and could ward off evil spirits. As Christianity swept through Ireland, the clover became associated with the Holy Trinity and became a symbol of good luck.
Whereas human chromosomes come in matched pairs, clovers have four copies of each chromosome per cell. The gene responsible for four-leaf clovers is 'recessive', which means that the plant will only produce four leaves if it has the four-leaf gene on all four chromosomes, which is a rare occurrence.
* The leaves of four-leaf clovers are said to stand for faith, hope, love, and luck. * It's often said that Ireland is home to more four-leaf clovers than any other place, giving meaning to the phrase “the luck of the Irish.” * If you're lucky enough to find a four-leaf clover, look for more!
Many Celtic traditions were blended with the new religion over the years, and the importance of the clover was one of them. The four-leaf-clover meaning became intertwined with Christianity, so the first three leaves came to represent faith, hope and love, and the fourth leaf, God's grace or luck.
How rare are 5 leaf clovers? The five-leaf clover is the rarest of these variants. Surprisingly, the odds of finding a five-leaf clover are one in a million for new finders. However, others believe that collectors have a one in 20,000 chance of finding the treasure.
According to The Weather Network, a four-leaf clover is rare, and difficult to find. A quick Google search said the odds are 1 in 10,000, but a 2017 study says chances are much better, with a 1 in 5,000 chance. Inside Science also reported 1 in 10,000 odds.
Another reason for clovers with four leaves instead of three is due to plant breeding. New strains of the plant are biologically bred to produce more four leaf clovers. I guess that could explain why there seem to be lots more, or at least a lot easier to find.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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