Shamrock Tattoos

Even if you think you know shamrock tattoos, they are worth a second look. The shamrock is, perhaps, the most easily recognizable symbol of Ireland. Sometimes thought of as a ‘lucky clover’, the shamrock symbolizes the luck of the Irish. It calls to mind the grassy slopes of its country of origin, and the soulful yet optimistic nature of the people that live there. Shamrock tattoos are a perfect symbol of that unique and beloved cultural identity.

For most of us living in North America, however, the shamrock image we are most familiar with is likely to be a bit ‘cartoonish’ – a bright, bold, Kelly green clover. Understandably, though these clover tattoo designs might appeal to some people, they aren’t to everyone’s taste. There’s a lot more to shamrock tattoos than this popular image, however; for instance, shamrock tattoo designs are often done in Celtic style, filled in with the classic triple spiral or Celtic knotwork. Alternatively, the shamrock design can form the center of a Celtic cross, or Celtic designs fill it in.

Any way you choose to depict it, though, the shamrock is lucky. Shamrock tattoos, then, have a dual function – they promise the wearer good luck in all of his or her pursuits, while also being a subtle yet easily recognizable nod to one’s Irish heritage. Because they can be quite small, shamrock tattoos are quite versatile and easy to wear. They can go almost anywhere – on an ankle, shoulder, lower back or even on the hand or foot, though the latter can sometimes be problematic tattoo sites because of color migration. Nevertheless, a tiny shamrock on the hand or foot can be very chic.

The shamrock has been a sacred plant in Ireland since time immemorial. In pre-Christian times, the ancient Druids planted and cultivated shamrocks because of the resemblance between the shamrock’s leaves and the Celtic triple spiral image. Later, the shamrock motif was adopted by Christians, as were many other aspects of the indigenous Celtic religions. St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, reportedly used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, in which there are three aspects of one god. Shamrock tattoos represent much more than the stylized, cartoon-ish shamrock we are accustomed to seeing in shop windows come St. Patrick’s day – rather, they are modern presentations of an ancient and powerful symbol. Of course, before deciding on this or any other tattoo image, you should do your research – do a search of shamrock tattoos to see which style resonates with your own tastes, beliefs and background.

Shamrock Tattoo Designs - As tattoo designs and symbols, the shamrock and four-leaf clover are very popular with Celts of Irish descent. In fact it is hard to imagine a St. Patrick's Day without Shamrocks and Four-Leaf Clovers to accompany Leprechauns and green beer.

The Shamrock and Four-Leaf Clover are universal symbols of Ireland all over the world, a symbol of being of Irish descent and in the case of the four-leaf clover, a potent symbol of luck or good fortune. Interestingly enough, both shamrocks and four-leaf clovers are one in the same - with a crucial difference - and have a symbolic tradition that goes back many thousands of years, spanning both the periods of the Druids, the Celtic Tribes and the modern era of conversion to Christianity.

When St. Patrick traveled to the Ireland to convert the native peoples to Christianity, he used the local beliefs and the Shamrock leaf to illustrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland. St. Patrick taught that the one true God was divided into three: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit, when preaching Christianity to the Irish people - just as represented by the shamrock.

In some respects the Shamrock is similar to our adoption of the northern European pagan practice of using evergreen trees at Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ during Christmas celebrations.

When we refer to Ireland as the Emerald Isle, we are referring in part to the rolling hills and dales that are blanketed with the many species of clover or shamrocks that are indigenous to the countryside. The Shamrock, which is a Three-Leaf Clover, is Ireland's most recognized National Symbol, others of course being the Harp, and the Leprechaun - or little people.

Facts about the Shamrock.

The word shamrock comes from the Irish word seamróg or seamair óg, meaning "little clover". There are many, many different varieties of clover, several thousand in fact. Before the arrival of the Christians to Ireland, the Shamrock was considered sacred to the Irish Druids because the three leaves formed a triad. In Celtic art, the tri-spiral was very common and the number three was thought to have magical powers (as are many prime numbers for that matter!).

The tradition of wearing Shamrock on Saint Patrick's Day can be traced back to the early 1700's. For good luck, a Shamrock is usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride, and also in the boutonniere of the groom.