Shamrock versus Clover
Traditionally, a shamrock refers to a three-leaf clover. A four-leaf clover is NOT the same thing as a shamrock. Someone's confusing their lucky charms! The word shamrock, itself, actually comes from the Irish word Seamrog meaning 'little clover' or 'young clover'.
The three leaves of a shamrock are also said to stand for faith, hope and love. A fourth leaf is where we get the luck from. The four-leafed clover or "lucky clover" is an uncommon variation of the three-leafed clover and widely considered to be a symbol of good luck.
Traditionally, shamrocks have been used as a symbol of Ireland. A clover must have three leaves to be considered a shamrock. If the clover has more or less, then it is not a shamrock. Hence, all shamrocks are clovers, but not all clovers are shamrocks.
The thought of Irish shamrocks evokes visions of the green landscape of the Emerald Isle as surely as does Saint Patrick's Day, itself.
The national flag of Ireland frequently referred to in Ireand as 'the tricolour' is the national flag and ensign of the Republic of Ireland. The flag, itself, is a vertical tricolour of green, white and orange. The green represents Irish nationalism; the orange, Ireland's Protestant minority and the Orange Order; the white, lasting peace between the two.
The Loyal Orange Institution, commonly known as the Orange Order is an international Protestant fraternal order based in Northern Ireland. It also has lodges in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland as well as throughout the British Commonwealth and the United States.
And don't forget the corn beef and cabbage with carrots and potatoes with a Guinness!
Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Pops!
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
