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THE SHAMROCK
Posted by lil_witch_jazmyn on March 17, 2011 at 5:16pm
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Shamrocks have been symbolic of many things over the years. According to legend, the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad, and three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion, as in many others. St. Patrick used the shamrock in the 5th century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland.
The shamrock became symbolic in other ways as time went on. In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion, and anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. It was this period that spawned the phrase "the wearin' o' the green". Today, the shamrock is the most recognized symbol of the Irish, especially on St. Patrick's Day, when all over the world, everyone is Irish for a day!
According to what the Oxford English Dictionary calls "a late tradition" (first recorded in 1726), the plant was used by Saint Patrick to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. However, the posthumous timing of this legend (coming some 1,200 years after his death), and the lack of supporting evidence found in St. Patrick's writings have caused some to question its authenticity.[1] In the pre-Christian era Celtic moon cult the shamrock symbolised the three phases of the moon
The original Irish shamrock (traditionally spelled seamróg, which means "summer plant") is said by many authorities to be none other than white clover (Trifolium repens), a common lawn weed originally native to Ireland. It is a vigorous, rhizomatous, stem-rooting perennial with trifoliate leaves. Occasionally, a fourth leaflet will appear, making a "four-leaf clover," said to bring good luck to the person who discovers it.
The shamrock has been registered as a trademark by the Government of Ireland.[3] It is also informally used as an emblem for sports teams and state organisations within Ireland: the IRFU, Shamrock Rovers F.C., IDA Ireland, University College Dublin and Fáilte Ireland use it as part of their identity.
In Northern Ireland, it is also used by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and is included on the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. Additionally, former Formula 1 racing driver Eddie Irvine included a shamrock on the back of his helmet and the shamrock is part of the uniform of the Royal Irish Regiment. The shamrock forms a major constituent of the team badge for football team Cliftonville F.C., similar to the the badge of Celtic F.C. The shamrock, and variously the Flax plant, is also a symbol of Northern Ireland.
Outside Ireland, various organisations, businesses and places use the symbol to advertise a connection with the island. Basketball team, theBoston Celtics in the USA incorporate the shamrock in their logos and the US cereal Lucky Charms uses it on the product's mascot and as a shape in the cereal itself.
Traditionally in Ireland, and in many places throughout the world, the shamrock is worn on the lapel on St Patrick's Day.
The four-leaf clover is often confused with the shamrock. While the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, the three-leafed shamrock is mainly an Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity and has a different significance
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Enchanted Forest
From now on I'll look at clovers differently.
Posted by lil_witch_jazmyn on March 17, 2011 at 5:16pm
Send Message View lil_witch_jazmyn's blog
Shamrocks have been symbolic of many things over the years. According to legend, the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad, and three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion, as in many others. St. Patrick used the shamrock in the 5th century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland.
The shamrock became symbolic in other ways as time went on. In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion, and anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. It was this period that spawned the phrase "the wearin' o' the green". Today, the shamrock is the most recognized symbol of the Irish, especially on St. Patrick's Day, when all over the world, everyone is Irish for a day!
According to what the Oxford English Dictionary calls "a late tradition" (first recorded in 1726), the plant was used by Saint Patrick to illustrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. However, the posthumous timing of this legend (coming some 1,200 years after his death), and the lack of supporting evidence found in St. Patrick's writings have caused some to question its authenticity.[1] In the pre-Christian era Celtic moon cult the shamrock symbolised the three phases of the moon
The original Irish shamrock (traditionally spelled seamróg, which means "summer plant") is said by many authorities to be none other than white clover (Trifolium repens), a common lawn weed originally native to Ireland. It is a vigorous, rhizomatous, stem-rooting perennial with trifoliate leaves. Occasionally, a fourth leaflet will appear, making a "four-leaf clover," said to bring good luck to the person who discovers it.
The shamrock has been registered as a trademark by the Government of Ireland.[3] It is also informally used as an emblem for sports teams and state organisations within Ireland: the IRFU, Shamrock Rovers F.C., IDA Ireland, University College Dublin and Fáilte Ireland use it as part of their identity.
In Northern Ireland, it is also used by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and is included on the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. Additionally, former Formula 1 racing driver Eddie Irvine included a shamrock on the back of his helmet and the shamrock is part of the uniform of the Royal Irish Regiment. The shamrock forms a major constituent of the team badge for football team Cliftonville F.C., similar to the the badge of Celtic F.C. The shamrock, and variously the Flax plant, is also a symbol of Northern Ireland.
Outside Ireland, various organisations, businesses and places use the symbol to advertise a connection with the island. Basketball team, theBoston Celtics in the USA incorporate the shamrock in their logos and the US cereal Lucky Charms uses it on the product's mascot and as a shape in the cereal itself.
Traditionally in Ireland, and in many places throughout the world, the shamrock is worn on the lapel on St Patrick's Day.
The four-leaf clover is often confused with the shamrock. While the four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, the three-leafed shamrock is mainly an Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity and has a different significance
ShareTwitterFacebook Tags: Ellipsis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Enchanted Forest
From now on I'll look at clovers differently.
