Try not to get too confused by the name Irish harp. Harp music often has an ethereal quality and the haunting melodies are often captured in Irish music. Several organizations and companies also feature the harp on their logos, such as Ryanair and the National University of Ireland. It is the national emblem of Ireland and is displayed on Irish Euro coins and official documents such as the presidential seal, birth certificates and passports. The Irish harp has been the national symbol of Ireland and Irish heritage for centuries. Irish Harp The symbol of the harp has been connected with Ireland for centuries. The five-leaf clover, which is also known as a rose clover, is thought to be particularly special by collectors. Sometimes clover can have five leaves (or more leaves) on a single specimen. The world record holder found 166 real four leaf clovers in one hour! Now that is lucky! This additional leaf is most likely caused by a genetic mutation that occurs roughly in 1 out of 5000 clover specimens. Finding that lucky fourth leaf could be a bit tricky in a sward of grass. Shamrocks are one of the best known Irish symbols of luck, but more typically four leaf clovers are considered lucky.Ĭlovers typically have three rather than four leaves per stem. Is the Shamrock a symbol of good luck? A four-leaf clover is considered lucky, but a five-leaf clover, or rose clover, is even luckier! (Photo: © DAPA Images via Canva) Patrick’s Day in a tradition that dates back to the 1950s. In America, the Oxalis, or wood sorrels, with the similar leaf shape to Trifolium has been adopted as the “shamrock” in many places.Įach year the American president receives a bowl of Shamrock from the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) as a present for St. With much of Ireland dominated by agriculture, there is no doubt that clover swards, such as Trifolium dubium and Trifolium repens help to contribute to Ireland’s landscape of forty shades of green. This clover species is a member of the legume or Fabaceae family which can fix nitrogen from the air and transfer it to the soil and acts as an important fodder crop. Usually the term “shamrock” is applied to the species Trifolium dubium, or Trifolium repens in Ireland. The word Shamrock comes from Seamair óg, or young clover in Irish. Interestingly, there is no single botanical species called “shamrock”. (Photo: Left: © Caifas, Right: © SaigeYves both via Canva) What is shamrock? Trifolium repens, or white clover, (l) is commonly used as shamrock in Ireland, while in North America, Oxalis, or wood sorrels (r) is used as shamrock. Patrick’s Day itself, people wear sprigs of shamrock pinned on their clothes! Enter any Irish souvenir shop and you will be bombarded by souvenirs covered in shamrock of all kinds. The national airline, Aer Lingus, proudly displays a shamrock on its logo. Today, the shamrock is seen as a universal symbol encompassing all things Irish. Patrick explained the mystery of the Holy Trinity using the three leaves on one single stem. Legend has it that the origins of this association date back to when St. While the Harp is the official symbol of Ireland, the shamrock as the unofficial one is probably equally well known.įor centuries, Ireland has been associated with the shamrock. This article explores some of the main Irish symbols and meanings, as well as some of their surprising origins. There are many symbols that have become synonymous with Ireland and Irish cultural heritage. They have certainly helped to put a small island on the world stage. Irish people and their Irish culture are known the world over. Waterville: The Complete Charlie Chaplin Guide.Top 10 Irish American Presidents with Irish Roots.
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