The shamrock
is a symbol of Ireland. It is a three-leafed old white clover
. It is sometimes of the variety Trifolium repens
(a white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhán
) but today usually Trifolium dubium
(a lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí
).
The diminutive version of the Irish word for "clover" ("seamair
") is "seamróg
", which was anglicised as "shamrock", representing a close approximation of the original Irish pronunciation. However, other three-leafed plants — such as black medic (Medicago lupulina
), red clover (Trifolium pratense
), and wood-sorrel (genus Oxalis
) — are sometimes designated as shamrocks. The shamrock was traditionally used for its medical properties and was a popular motif in Victorian times. It is also a common way to represent Saint Patrick's Day.
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SHAMROCK TICKETS
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Badge of Ireland
The
shamrock
has been registered as a trademark by the
Government of Ireland.
[1] In
Northern Ireland, it is also used by the
Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
The shamrock is also informally used as an
emblem for sports teams, state organisations, and troops abroad from Ireland: the
IRFU,
Cliftonville F.C. Shamrock Rovers F.C.,
Aer Lingus,
IDA Ireland,
University College Dublin,
University of Notre Dame,
Detroit Catholic Central High School, the
Northern Ireland Tourist Board and
Fáilte Ireland use it as part of their identity. The Aer Lingus
call sign is "SHAMROCK".
However, it should be noted that the
Celtic harp, often called "
Brian Boru's Harp", is the primary symbol for Ireland, appearing on postage stamps, government insignia, armed forces insignia and the
coat of arms of the
President of Ireland. It is registered with the
World Intellectual Property Organization as a symbol of Ireland. 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 doctrine of the
Trinity. The posthumous timing of this legend (coming some 1200 years after his death), and the lack of supporting evidence found in St. Patrick's writings have caused some to question its authenticity
[2].
The shamrock is featured on the
passport stamp of
Montserrat, many of whose citizens are of Irish descent. In addition, the shamrock is frequently used as a name and symbol for Irish
pubs throughout the world.
Flags
The flag of the city of
Montreal,
Quebec,
Canada has a shamrock that is located in the lower right quadrant. The shamrock represents the Irish population, one of the four major ethnic groups that made up the population of the city in the 19th century when the arms were designed.
The coat of arms on the flag of the
Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation was cradled in a wreath of shamrock.
[3]
The
Erin Go Bragh flag uses an angelic
Cláirseach, a medieval Irish harp, cradled in a wreath of
clover. A flag strongly symbolic of
Irish nationalism, it is often seen on
Saint Patrick's Day, usually displayed during the parades.
The four-leaf clover
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.
References
- Use of the harp and the shamrock were registered by the Irish government as international trademarks. See Record of the meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, 26 March 2003. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ''Saint Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the holy trinity'' at De-fact-o.com - "Untangling The Web One Fact At A Time"
- College of Arms Newsletter, August 2004