The shamrock was grown in ancient Ireland. Adopted by Christianity in its early days, it is said that Saint Patrick made use of the clover to explain the Holy Trinity, in which there are three representations of one God. That is how the clover became somewhat of a religious symbol as well.

It is now understandable how the three leaf clover became as valued and important for its religious and historical representations. Originally, these shamrocks were cultivated and valued for their three leaves, and in fact a four leaf clover cannot be considered an Irish Shamrock.

In that case, where does the lucky clover originate from? Actually the idea of a lucky clover was created by the Celts and Druids, whom by realizing how rare a four leaf clover was, believed it was protection from evil spirits. This mythology still goes on today in the belief that four leaf clovers are lucky, and that luck is believed to extend to shamrock clover tattoo designs.

Did you know that there are 10,000 three leaf clovers for every single natural four leaf clover? Both types of clovers trace back to Irish mythology and history, but nowadays, only three leaf clovers are considered true shamrocks, however, they are not lucky.

Whether you pick the lucky clover tattoo or the historical shamrock tattoo, you will own a meaningful and representative tattoo. Many people imagine a shamrock clover tattoo as a plain, bright green, four leaf symbol. However, in real life, shamrock clover tattoos will incorporate, in many cases, more than one Celtic element, such as: a Celtic knot symbol outlined by the clover.

The combination of the clover and the Celtic knot combines both the three leaf clover and what the clover represented as believed by the Celts. There are several ways to keep the tattoo from seeming plain or lifeless. A contour and shading can really make a huge difference in the way a clover design looks and feels.

Shamrock clover tattoos can be designed in detail or as a simple design. They can be customized to any size and fit almost anywhere on the body. Clover tattoos are no longer being placed by Irish alone. Since they are considered to be lucky, people from all around the world have embraced the trend. In recent years, it has turned quite popular to have a tiny clover tattoo on your ankle or shoulder.

Celebrities and Shamrock Clover Tattoos

Musician Jamie Walters has a clover tattoo paired with a couple of dice in order to increase his chances for luck.
Actor Richard Grieco chose to have his clover tattoo on his calf.
Actresses Melanie Griffith and Joely Fisher have both a tiny clover tattoo on their ankles.