7 Fun Facts About Four-Leaf Clovers to Get in the St. Patrick's Day Spirit
Today, looking for four-leaf clovers is a St. Patrick's Day tradition, but have you ever wondered why they're considered lucky—or how they came to be associated with the holiday? It turns out, the story behind the clovers dates back to hundreds of years before we began drinking green beer and pinching friends who didn't wear green on the holiday.
Four-leaf clovers commonly appear in centuries-old legends as symbols of good luck. The Druids (Celtic priests), in the early days of Ireland, believed that when they carried a three-leaf clover or shamrock, they could see evil spirits coming and have a chance to escape in time. Four-leaf clovers were Celtic charms, presumed to offer magical protection and ward off bad luck. Children in the Middle Ages believed if they carried a four-leaf clover, they would be able to see fairies, and the first literary reference to suggest their good fortune was made in 1620 by Sir John Melton.
The Difference Between Four-Leaf Clovers and Shamrocks
Both shamrocks and four-leaf clovers are associated with St. Patrick's Day, and they're commonly mistaken to be the same thing. A shamrock is a clover that only has three leaves, and the four-leaf clover is considered lucky because they're much rarer. But shamrocks are still an important part of the holiday: There's a deep religious significance that explains why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day with shamrocks.
Now that you know the difference, catch up on these fun facts about four-leaf clovers before you start whipping up a St. Patrick's Day dessert.
Fast Facts About Four-Leaf Clovers
- There are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every "lucky" four-leaf clover.
- There are no clover plants that naturally produce four leaves, which is why four-leaf clovers are so rare.
- 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! If a clover plant produces a four-leaf clover, it's more likely to produce another four-leaf lucky charm than plants that only produce three-leaf clovers.
- The fourth leaf can be smaller or a different shade of green than the other three leaves
- If you're the superstitious type, give your four-leaf clover to someone else. It's said that this will double your good luck!
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