Megan Shoop
Megan Shoop has Bachelor of Arts in English literature and is proficient in both AP and MLA styles. As an editor of her college newspaper for one year, she assisted with copy editing, proofreading and layout design. She also wrote art and movie reviews and articles about campus events.
By Megan Shoop, eHow Contributor
Three-leaf clovers, or shamrocks, feature small, round leaves that look a bit like coins. These little plants grow very close to the ground in small clumps, acting as food for herbivores like rabbits and deer. Though the shamrock's four-leafed cousin is more popular, both are said to be good luck. The three-leafed shamrock is also a symbol of Irish pride.
Shamrock History
According to Lolly Smith, St. Patrick used the shamrock to spread Christianity throughout Ireland. He used the three leaves as symbols of the three parts of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In the fifth century, when Patrick was evangelizing, oral tales were the most popular form of spreading information. The illustration with the shamrocks worked well because they were plentiful throughout Ireland.
Called "semair og," or little clover, the shamrock was sacred to the Druids before Patrick's arrival in Ireland. The three leaves created a triad, a symbol of rigidity and balance for the Druids.
Modern Traditions
Since the shamrock played such an important part in both Christian and pagan Irish history, it symbolizes Irish pride today. It's a symbol of good luck because of its coin-shaped leaves and green color. Irish Catholics remember St. Patrick's work in Ireland by wearing the plant on St. Patrick's Day. During Irish weddings, the bride embellishes her bouquet with shamrocks and the groom traditionally has them in his boutonniere.
Planting and Growing
Unlike other low, clumping plants, each shamrock is a single plant. They may look as if several sprout from one area, but this is only because the seeds grow very close together. These lucky little plants grow well in terrariums, as part of a small desk garden or as ground cover in low-traffic areas. You can also plant them in deer plots to help lure deer and other herbivores away from your garden.
To grow, chill the seeds in your refrigerator for 24 hours. Sprinkle the cold seeds on a seed flat of rich potting soil, and cover them with about 1/4 inch more of soil. Water the soil until it's evenly moist, and place the seed flat in a warm, sunny place. Within about two weeks, you'll have a lush garden of three-leaf clovers.
Displaying Shamrocks
Though you can easily display your Irish pride with shamrock pins or charms, there are thousands of shamrock designs to choose from. You could pick a traditional, simple design or choose something more elaborate. A simple design includes a solid, green shamrock with a short stem. More elaborate designs include leaves formed by Celtic knots or shaped into hearts. Some designs even have messages written inside each leaf. Many of Irish blood also choose shamrocks as part of tattoo designs.
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