Shamrock

This article is about the plant that is a symbol of Ireland. For other uses, see Shamrock (disambiguation).
"Three-leaf clover" redirects here. For the Teenage Joans song, see Three Leaf Clover.
Not to be confused with Four-leaf clover.

A shamrock

A shamrock is a type of clover, used as a symbol of Ireland. Saint Patrick, one of Ireland's patron saints, is said to have used it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity.[1] The name shamrock comes from Irish seamróg ([ˈʃamˠɾˠoːɡ]), which is the diminutive of the Irish word seamair and simply means "young clover".[2]

At most times, Shamrock refers to either the species Trifolium dubium (lesser/yellow clover, Irish: seamair bhuí)[3] or Trifolium repens (white clover, Irish: seamair bhán). However, other three-leaved plants—such as Medicago lupulina, Trifolium pratense, and Oxalis acetosella—are sometimes called shamrocks. The shamrock was traditionally used for its medicinal properties,[4] and was a popular motif in Victorian times.

  1. ^ Treeck, Carl Van; Croft, Aloysius (1936). Symbols in the Church. Bruce Publishing Co. Retrieved 13 March 2015. St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock in explaining to the pagan Irish the idea of the Holy Trinity.
  2. ^ Nelson (1991), p. 14
  3. ^ "Lesser Hop Trefoil, Trifolium dubium - Flowers - NatureGate". www.luontoportti.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Shamrocks: More Than A Bit O'Luck (Michele Warmund)". ipm.missouri.edu. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.