Shamrocks vs Four-Leaf Clovers: 3 Irish Symbols and a Pretender

On St. Patrick's Day in the US, Irish-related images abound, but which are authentically Irish, and which are not?

Before another March disappears, I want to take the opportunity to explore a few things associated with Ireland and dispel misconceptions some people (I’m looking at you, my fellow Americans) have about these symbols. Of course, I’m going to get a little folklore in too!

Shamrocks versus Four-leaf Clovers

Both are clovers, but they are not synonymous. Shamrocks (said to be trifolium dubium or trifolium repens) always have three leaves. I’m not a botanist, but every source I’ve read has been definite. Shamrocks (from the Irish seamróg) never ever have four leaves. (Note the prefix: tri-). In fact, most clover varieties are tri-leaved. However, in a rare instance, another clover might pop up with a fourth leaf. Because a four-leaf clover is such a rarity, if you find one, it’s considered a sign of good luck—and not just in Ireland. But it is not a shamrock. And it is not a symbol of Ireland. Shamrocks, however, are.

So, why are shamrocks a symbol of Ireland? First, they’re associated with the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. You likely know the legend. It tells of how, in converting the Irish to Christianity, he used the shamrock as a teaching tool. He used it to explain the concept of the Blessed Trinity. This is unlikely, but that’s the legend.

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Before you beat up on me for speaking blasphemy, let me explain. First, I do believe St. Patrick existed as a historical person who played a leading role in converting the fifth-century Irish to Christianity. But I don’t believe every detail of every story about him and neither should you. Why? Because they’re legends.

By definition, a legend is a story that is grounded in historical fact—St. Patrick was a real person who helped convert the Irish to Christianity—then, over time—the story is embellished. For example, St. Patrick, the legend says, got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. According to scholars, there never were any snakes in Ireland.

Now, I suspect that the snake story is metaphorical, but I take issue with the shamrock-as-a-way-to-understand-the-Trinity story. Here’s why. The Irish didn’t need anyone to explain the concept of three-in-one to them. The pre-Christian Irish worshipped the Triple Goddess, the Morrigan. They already understood the three-persons-in-one-god idea and accepted it. In fact, if you study the religious beliefs of the ancient Irish, you’ll understand why they readily accepted Christianity. The two theologies share several similar beliefs. Anyway, the St. Patrick with the shamrock story stuck and, through it, the shamrock became indelibly linked to the Irish.

History also contributes to the reason the shamrock is a symbol of Irishness—to the Irish themselves. In the 18th century, the United Irishmen, a society formed to fight for freedom from British rule and equal rights for all Irish people, used shamrocks as an identifying mark. During the following two centuries, shamrocks became even more firmly a symbol of Irish independence and Irish identity.

The Irish didn't need St. Patrick to use a shamrock to explain the concept of a three-in-one deity. They already had a triple goddess, the Morrigan.

In 1985, the Republic of Ireland obtained a registered trademark for the shamrock. Why? Since the shamrock is so strongly associated with Ireland, the government wants to ensure that it is only used as a symbol or a logo on commercial goods that are authentically Irish.

All that said, the official national symbol of the Republic of Ireland is not a shamrock. Look at an Irish passport. You won't see a shamrock. You'll see a harp.

The Harp

So, why a harp? The answer is a bit nebulous. Most sources say the national symbol Ireland is a harp because of it is a symbol of Irish culture. An occasional source will say the harp is the national symbol because Henry VIII (of England) said so. That’s not entirely untrue. In 1541, the Tudor proclaimed himself King of Ireland and created coinage for the country. The coin had an image of a harp with a crown on it. But the harp was important to the Irish long before Henry was born.

Music is intrinsic to the Irish. It’s in the DNA. But why a harp instead of, say, a fiddle? Because the harp goes back thousands of years to ancient Irish culture and mythology. According to Irish myth, the goddess of dreams, inspiration, and music, Cana Cludhmor, invented the instrument. Also, Dagda, aka the Good God, owned a magical harp with which he called forth the seasons. In addition, he could affect and change people’s emotions—make them laugh, cry, or go to sleep, by playing the instrument.

The bards and poets of Ireland also affected the importance of the harp to the Irish psyche. Poets did write poetry; they sang it. Likewise, the bards often wove their tales accompanied by music. That music usually was played on a harp.

The answer to why the harp is the national symbol of Ireland is more intuitive than academic. If you get it, it’s an of course moment. It resonates with you. If you don’t get it and need facts and logic, then there’s only one relevant fact. The harp as a symbol of Ireland resonates with the Irish people. They get it, and that’s all that matters.

The Tricolour

Since the Middle Ages, a symbol of Irish nationalism was a flag with a harp on it. For a while, the flag was blue. Eventually, in 1603, when James I of England (James VI of Scotland), put a golden harp against a blue background on his coat of arms, it was time for a change of the Irish flag. So, in 1642, its background became green with a gold harp at its center and shamrocks growing on either side of the instrument. Eoghan Ruadh Ó Néill used it as a standard when he fought in the Irish Confederate Wars against British forces. This flag design has become known as the Erin go Bragh (Ireland Forever) flag today and is easily recognized as a symbol of Irish identity.

The Irish Tricolour flag represents peace and unity between the Gaelic Irish and the Anglo-Irish. (Free Stock Public Domain pic.)

However, the state flag of the Republic of Ireland is the Tricolour (green, orange, and white). This flag, also, is well-known, although its history and symbolism may not be. It made its first public appearance in1848 when Thomas Francis Meagher flew it in Waterford during the Young Irelander Rebellion. It was flown again above the rebel headquarters during the Easter Rising of 1916. In 1922, the Tricolor was made the official flag of the Irish Free State, and ultimately of the Republic of Ireland.

But what does it symbolize? The green represents the Gaelic Irish, descendants of the ancient Irish. They tend to be Catholic. The orange represents the Anglo-Irish, descendants of the British invaders. They tend to be Protestant. On the flag, white is between the orange and green. It represents peace between the two and a hope for unity. A dream that may be becoming a reality.

Now, I could go on to talk about leprechauns and shillelaghs, Guinness versus green beer, and other such topics. Instead, I’d like to end on the above note of hope. After centuries of violence and division, Ireland, in the republic, is thriving. And Northern Ireland is working to heal the scars from the more recent Troubles.

During the Dark Ages, the Irish were a beacon of light—of learning and civilization—to their neighbors on the isle of Britannia. As our current Western civilization seems to be moving more and more towards xenophobia, isolationism, and authoritarianism, we may need to look once again to the Irish to show us the way.

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All artwork for this post (except for the Ukranian flag and the GIF) by Christine Dorman via Bing Image Creator.

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