by Donna Cosmato

Created on: March 08, 2009   Last Updated: April 24, 2009

Why is the shamrock linked to Saint Patrick, an Irish slave boy who became a beloved Catholic saint? This simple little clover with three leaves has a history and a symbolism for both Ireland and the Catholic religion.

In the 5th century, a Catholic priest named Patrick was active in Ireland. Patrick was captured in England as a youth and sold into slavery in Ireland. Although he worked hard and proved himself to be a trustworthy, reliable servant, he could not persuad his master to free him. He escaped and returned to his family, but God had other plans for his life. He entered the priesthood and returned to Ireland to share the gospel.

Using the shamrock as a clever visual aid, he explained the mystery of the Trinity in simple terms. Father, Son, Spirit - three divine persons united as one, and symbolized by the humble plant. Patrick was very successful in converting to Catholicism scores of Irishmen. Today, his devoted followers still wear a shamrock on the feast day that bears his name.

The shamrock has come to be recognized as the national symbol of Ireland, and all things Irish. Historically, the Druids who lived in Ireland held the shamrock in high esteem as a sacred object. They believed it was symbolic of the triad - the mystic number three that can be found throughout their religion. Their belief was that the world worked in powers of and multiples of three. It is easy to see how the three leaves of the shamrock would fit perfectly with their belief system.

Going into the 19th century, the shamrock began to be repositioned from a primarily religious symbol to a symbol of rebellion and resistance to foreign rule. Irish rebels wore it proudly and defiantly to proclaim their heritage, even though they knew that the symbol might lead to their death. The term "wearing o' the green" is derived from this custom of wearing a shamrock on the lapel.

The shamrock has enjoyed a long and varied history. To many, it is a simple summer plant, fun to pick and craft into necklaces. For the Druids, it was their lucky charm. For the Christians in 5th century Ireland, it was the symbol of their Triune God. Ireland and the Irish still embrace it today as a symbol of national pride and heritage. According to fourleafclover.com "Shamrocks have been considered by the Irish as good-luck symbols since earliest times, and this superstition has persisted in modern times among people of many nationalities." What does the shamrock symbolize for you?

http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId =218753 http://www.fourleafclover.com/3fact.html

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