Escola Secundária Santa Maria

Mariana Iannucci nº24 12ºL

Extra Credit

The Shamrock

The Shamrock is one of the symbols of Ireland. But contrary to popular belief, the shamrock is not the official emblem of Ireland. He works more as the emblem of Irish culture. It is a three-leafed clover that is very common in Ireland. It comes in two varieties: the Trifolium rapen (the oldest one) and the Trifolium dubion. The word – Shamrock – is anglicised from the Irish word - "seamróg".

This three-leafed clover is used in many different things, such as the emblem of sport teams, state organizations, universities, airlines, and tourism in general.

The first of the particularities of this clover is that he is full of stories and legends. Some of these legends are about Druids that often honoured this plant, considering her a sacred plant, capable of killing evil spirits. Other legend believes that the Shamrock has mythical and prophetic powers: it is said that the leaves of shamrocks turn upright whenever a storm is coming. One other significance is given to Shamrock - he represents the number 3 (because of his 3 leaves) that it is a sacred number for many reasons: because of the Triple Goddess of Celtic mythology, kwon as “The Three Morgans” (later, transformed to the Holy Trinity), and because all the good things come in three (examples: past, present, and future; land, sea, and sky; love, valor, and wit; faith, hope and charity…). Just as I said previously, the shamrock is a symbol of the Holy Trinity and the Cross for Irish-Catholics. This is a consequence of the most famous shamrock legend, starring St. Patrick. The story basically says that he used the shamrock to help the pagan Druid High Priests and their followers comprehend the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - All in One God. But it is known that the shamrock was already considered a sacred plant to the Druids long before St. Patrick arrived in Ireland. Perhaps that is why, according to the shamrock legend, he chose this clover to explain the Holy Trinity to them.

The second particularity is notoriety of this little plant. We may ask this question: why has this clover become the universal symbol of the Irish people? Well, that question can be answered with history facts. Back in Queen Victoria days, the Shamrock becomes the symbol of rebellion against the oppression of the Crown. It was during this time that displaying the shamrock on one's clothing became known as the "Wearing of the Green". And thru the decades, this “green fever” become bigger and bigger, starting invading the public structures and churches, house furniture’s, clothing, emblems of organizations, becoming in what it is now.

I have collected some Irish Sayings:

1. For each petal on the shamrockThis brings a wish to your way -

Good health, good luck, and happinessFor today and every day. -Author Unknown

2. May your blessings outnumberThe shamrocks that grow, And may trouble avoid youWherever you go. -Irish Blessing

3. When law can stop the blades of grass from growing' as they grow, an' when the leaves in summer time their color dare not show, then I will change the color, too, I wear in my “caubeen”; but till that day, please God, I'll stick to the Wearing' o' the Green. -Author Unknown

4. O, the red rose may be fair, And the lily statelier; But my shamrock, one in threeTakes the very heart of me! -Katherine Tynan

Shamrocks

Some “Shamrock Logos”