Then and Now: How Clovers have evolved through the ages

The four-leaf clover is a rare variation of the common three-leaf clover. It is of immense cultural significance and denotes faith, hope, love and luck. Clovers have historically originated in Ireland. In its early days, the Celtic priests, also known as the Druids, believed that by carrying three-leaf clovers or shamrocks, they could see evil spirits from the world beyond.

Four-leaf clovers were Celtic charms on the other hand, believed to offer magical protection and ward off bad luck. To add to that, the clover was supposed to represent Ireland. Its symbolic significance is what created the legend of St. Patrick who used the clover’s triple leaf to explain the Holy Trinity to Celts. That is why Saint Patrick’s day is celebrated in all its glory in contemporary times. In the Middle Ages children carried four-leaf clovers in hopes of being able to see fairies. While the three-leaf clover was popular, the four-leaf one surpassed its popularity because of that extra leaf of luck that made it unique.

Another one of the origin stories of the good luck associated with four-leaf clovers is the legend after the original sin when Eve plucked a single four-leaf clover as a souvenir of paradise right before Adam and Eve were about to leave the Garden of Eden. This religious connection made the four-leaf clover all the more famous for being lucky.

In today’s day and age, the four-leaf clover’s luck is linked to how rare it is to find. The odds of finding one four-leaf clover is one in ten thousand three-leaf clovers. Pretty rare isn't it? That’s exactly why people find so much joy in spotting one. They’re a very meaningful flower to present to loved ones in your life who are as rare as the four-leaf clover.