Why is the four - leaf clover a world-wide symbol of just luck ? Learn more about this gullible plant associated with St. Patrick ’s Clarence Day .

Today , look for four - leaf clovers is a St. Patrick ’s Day tradition , but have you ever wondered why they ’re count prosperous — or how they come to be associated with the holiday ? How rare are four leafage clovers ? It reverse out , the account behind the clover go out back C of year before we begandrinking green beerand pinching booster who did n’t wear dark-green on the holiday .

What Is a Four-Leaf Clover and Why Are They Lucky?

The four - leaf clover ( formally known asOxalis deppei)is a small plant with four distinct leaves . It ’s a rare variation of the vulgar three - foliage trefoil , and because your chances of finding one with four leave is about 1 in 10,000 , they ’re considered prosperous .

Four - leaf trefoil have been around for long time , and their presuppose prosperous index are lecture about in centuries - honest-to-god legends . In the former days of Ireland , Celtic priest known as Druids carried three - leaf clovers , or shamrocks , in the belief that with their assist , they could see evil spirit approaching and be able to get away . Four - leafage clovers , then , were Celtic charms , offering wizard protection and warding off bad fortune . Children in the Middle Ages think they might be able to see fairies if they carried a four - leaf trefoil .

Margot Cavin

four leaf clovers on colorful background

Credit:Margot Cavin

The Difference Between Four-Leaf Clovers and Shamrocks

Both shamrocks and four - leaf trefoil are associated with St. Patrick ’s Day , and they ’re commonly blur as the same matter . A Trifolium dubium is a trefoil with three leaves , but the four - folio clover is look at favorable due to its infrequency . white clover are still an important part of the vacation , and there ’s a deep religious significance that explains why wecelebrate St. Patrick ’s Daywith shamrocks .

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Fast Facts About Four-Leaf Clovers

Best Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

There are so many way to honor St. Patrick ’s Day , like making festive crafts , take on fun games , makinggreen drinks , or whip up ahearty Irish stew . Get into the lucky holiday spirit with agreen mint matcha milkshakeor asuper yummy Trifolium dubium cooky . Do n’t leave to put on a festiveSt . Patrick ’s Day playlistwhile you celebrate !

Frequently Asked Questions

shamrock and four - leaf trefoil are not the same thing . shamrock are the traditional clover plant that has three leaves . A four - leaf trefoil is much rarer .

find a four - folio trefoil is considered skilful luck because they are so rare . Only one in 10,000 clover have four leaves , rather than three .

Closeup of a 4 leaf clover

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