Cultural Views and Legends Surrounding Clover

Cambridge dictionary defines a clover as “a small plant with three round, green leaves that are joined together”, but in a field full of three-leaf clovers, finding a four-leaf one could have a special connotation its signifier gives us a feeling of joy and suspicion that fate smiles in our favor. The reason behind this is that this plant, being so extraordinary, has always been associated with magical properties that are capable of attracting good energies and removing bad ones from our surroundings.

Among the most popular amulets for good luck, the four-leaf clover stands out as one of the oldest. We have to go back to ancient civilizations to find the origin of their association with magic and good luck. Cultures such as the Mayans, the Celts or the Egyptians already had this amulet in mind as a bearer of good fortune and it is also mentioned within Christianity a connection with Eva who, when she was expelled from Paradise, took this plant with her.

In Ireland it has a strong impact. The reason is that the legend tells that St. Patrick was one day looking for a normal and common clover (the three-leaf) to explain to the Celts the concept of 'Trinity' but, instead, he found one of four leaves. It is also known that the Druids who lived in the British Isles around 200 BC believed that this was a sacred symbol since with this clover they were able to see the demons and, therefore, protect themselves from them.

The four-leaf clover has an eminently symbolic use. It is used as an amulet. Many people think that this clover is something unique, carrying it is like a symbol of protection. An amulet that protects us against bad luck or evil spirits and helps us in those moments in life where we need a little push. As it is “complicated” to find one that is natural, the amulet can be showcased in jewelry (pendants, bracelets, earrings, etc.) or even with tattoos, which are given the same properties as the original plant.

To explain what a four-leaf clover supposes in today's culture, a good example could be a well-known chapter of Futurama, in which a young Fry (who had not yet traveled to the future) triumphs in everything thanks to a four-leaf clover. When Fry disappeared, he also lost his clover and all his good luck, returning to be the loser he was. However, his brother inherited the clover and was successful.

It is known that its rarity is due to a recessive gene that manifests at the rate of one for every 10,000 outbreaks. Therefore, every 10,000 three-leaf clovers, there is one of four sprouts. It doesn't sound too extraordinary, right? If we take into account that approximately 200 clovers fit in a space of 60 cm², to find a clover with four leaflets you only need to check a space of 1.2 square meters. That is about the size of a desk table; anyone could find one without losing patience.

With all of this in mind, it should not take long to find your four-leaf clover. But there is something you should know: according to the most superstitious, the four-leaf clover only brings good luck when you find it by accident. Regardless of any information, it is a plant that has something very special. Also, who hasn’t tried to find one?