Like England’s Rose and Scotland’s thistle, the shamrock is an iconic symbol of Irish heritage and culture. It appears on the flag of Erin Go Bragh, meaning “Ireland Forever”, was utilized by St. Patrick as a symbol of Irish identity, and can be found on the uniforms of Irish sports teams, and on the tail of the national airline, Aer Lingus. Any Saint Patrick’s day event anywhere in the world is incomplete without it. But although the use of the shamrock as Ireland’s national symbol dates back thousands of years, there appears to be a confusion about what constitutes the traditional shamrock; in particular, it appears to often be confused with the four-leafed clover.
Earlier this month, the campaign to reelect Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States added itself to the list of offenders who had confused these two plants, when it released a series of Irish-themed t-shirts and merchandise ahead of St. Patrick’s day. The green shirts added an apostrophe to O’bama, but also a four-leaf clover where a traditional shamrock should have resided. The problem was corrected after the error was pointed out by observant Irish customers.
The word shamrock comes from the Gaelic word Seamrog, meaning “little clover”. A clover is the commonly used name for any number of plants belonging to the genus Trifolium, meaning “having three leaves.” Even among botanists, there is some disagreement on what species is the “true” shamrock, but most agree that the White Clover is probably the original shamrock of Irish symbolic heritage. While trying to convert the Irish into Christians, St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the holy trinity with each leaf representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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. Because they are a mutation, they are rare, and not found in the same abundance as the shamrock, and thus, considered lucky. The traditional Irish symbol of a shamrock does not include the fourth leaf.
Before you venture off for your Ireland vacation, or start stocking up for your St. Patrick’s day celebrations, take a good look at the symbol on your “Kiss Me I’m Irish!” pin. Does it have four leaves instead of three? Knowing the difference between a shamrock and a four leaf clover could spare you the uncomfortable experience of having to explain your case of mistaken identity when it comes to the historical and traditional symbol of Ireland.
Learn More About Ireland Destination Guides
How We Travel
Learn More
Motorcycle
Ride your way: custom tours built for adventure, created by motorcyclists.
View Details
Self Drive
See AlsoThis Is Why Four-Leaf Clovers Are Considered LuckyThe Luck of a Four-Leaf CloverOdds Ratios and St. Patrick's Day: Are 4-Leaf Clovers Really All That Lucky?57 Leaf CloverHit the road your way: itinerary, car, accommodations, sights, and tours. But let us do all the heavy lifting.
View Details
Chauffeur
The freedom of your own private car, the luxury of your own personal guide. And the very best hidden secrets.
View Details
Scheduled Tour
For travelers who prefer to join a small group tour, we offer scheduled tours.
View Details
Rail
Convenient, comfortable, oozing with charm. With a front-row seat to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
View Details
Private Group
The trip of a lifetime, personalized just for your group of friends, family, or organization down to every last detail.
View Details
Honeymoon
Every tour is different, perfectly matched for every couple. Crafted by a team who is as excited about your honeymoon as you are.
View Details
More Articles
Read All Articles
Arts & Pop Culture
Your Guide to Visiting Bridgerton Filming Locations
Dearest gentle reader, Bridgerton’s fairytale world is closer than you think! Explore the real-life filming locations from the hit show on your next trip to the United Kingdom. From London’s grand Regency estates to Bath’s stunning assembly rooms, we’ll give you the inside scoop of what to see—better yet, we’ll do all the planning, so you don’t have to.
Continue Reading
Adventure & Wellness
Experience the 2026 Solar Eclipse in Portugal, Spain or Iceland
Feeling a little bit of eclipse withdrawal after April 8? Good news: the next solar eclipse is on the horizon for August 2026 and can be viewed in Spain, Portugal & Iceland. Let’s start planning your trip!
Continue Reading
Adventure & Wellness
A Multigenerational Family Trip Idea: An Adventure in Ireland
Ready for a journey not confined by age but enriched by a multitude of perspectives, where toddlers explore with wide-eyed wonder and grandparents share wisdom and stories? An escape from bustling routines, school agendas and the constant drumbeat of daily life … a multigenerational exploration stands as an epitome of unity. So, let’s begin!
Continue Reading
By-Your-Side Service℠
Our personal concierge service and mobile app
Custom Europe Experts
Experts in planning truly customized trips
Value without Compromise
High-touch inclusions and customized experiences
Consistency with Individuality
You’ll always be met with the highest standards