In Celtic cultures, particularly in Ireland, clover has long been considered lucky. The rare four-leaf clover is viewed as particularly powerful. Today both Shamrocks (three-leaf clovers) in Ireland and four-leaf clovers in the US and Europe are seen as powerful good luck charms.
The belief in the luck-carrying properties of clover probably began in Wales and spread to other Celtic cultures, including Ireland. It's origins are lost to time, but it is believed to have been a favorite forage of domesticated animals like cattle, horses, and sheep. Because animals well-fed on clover grew fat and made their owner wealthy, the plant took on the power to do good things for people. The four-leaf variety was especially valued because of its rarity. Others think the four-leaf clover had added power because the druids used clover in spells and believed the leaves represented the four elements of alchemy (Water, Earth, Air, and Fire) and/or the four seasons of the year. The introducers of Catholicism to Ireland co-opted the belief in three-leaf clover (the Shamrock) by saying this represented the trinity of God, son, and holy spirit. The rare four-leaf clover added a leaf for God's grace. Even in recent times, carriers of the four-leaved clover were believed to have been granted special powers to see fairies, detect witches and recognize evil spirits. Clover was also said to protect cows from witches. Unmarried female travelers were also advised to place clover in their right shoe to meet the man they were to marry. In France, it is the symbol of the lottery site fdjeux.com, representing the money good luck will bring!
The four-leaf clover is a rare find in a patch of nutritious and luck-bearing clover. Its rarity is thought to give the four-leaf clover enhanced luck-bearing properties which can bring luck to the one who possesses it.
