Wearing a Four Leaf Clover Tattoo

If you ask anyone what comes to mind when they think of a symbol that describes the Irish, more than likely they will answer, “The four leaf clover.” The four leaf clover is a symbol for luck as most clover that is found has only three leaves. Finding a four leaf clover in the wild is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

The Shamrock and four leaf clover are the symbols most associated with Ireland across the globe. The Shamrock and four leaf clover are considered to be the same with one fundamental difference. The symbolism spans thousands of years and encompasses the Druid period, the era of the Celtic tribes and finally into the modern Christian era.

The Shamrock

To offer an example of Christian belief, St. Patrick used the shamrock to show the people of Ireland the Holy Trinity and its mysteries. The teaching of St. Patrick to the local tribes was that the true God was made up of three parts, not unlike the shamrock. There was the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The shamrock can also be likened to the use of the evergreen tree as a symbol during the Christmas holidays.

The Emerald Isles of Ireland

Ireland is often referred to as the Emerald Isle and with good reason. Ireland is full of rolling green fields of shamrock and clover. Along with the harp and leprechaun, the shamrock as a three leafed clover is one of the symbols one associates with Ireland. The four leaf clover because of its scarcity is considered a potent omen of good luck or fortune for the one that finds such a rare clover.

Some Facts about the Four Leaf Clover

Because finding a true four leaf clover is an occurrence that rarely happens, the expression, “The luck of the Irish,” sprung up because of it. If one finds a true four leaf clover, they will notice that the fourth leaf is smaller than the others. When Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, it is said she carried with her a four leaf clover.

Many of us can think back to childhood days spent combing the fields hoping to find the elusive four leaf clover. Most of us never found one, but the memory is still one that can bring a smile to the adult face when reminiscing about their childhood quest.

A four leaf clover tattoo can indicate that the wearer has or hopes to have good fortune in their life. It can also just be a reminder of their Irish heritage and to display to others their national pride. A four leaf clover tattoo can be placed just about anywhere on the body and can tattooed alone or with other symbolic pictures that the wearer wants to impart about themselves, their beliefs and their heritage.

The four leaves of the clover symbolize hope, faith, luck and love. It is not possible to breed or to grow a four leaf clover. Companies that can produce four leaf clovers are offering customers a clone and is considered a genetic defect, therefore not a true four leaf clover.