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Shamrock Information
We have had many requests for information on The Shamrock, so we have now dedicated a whole page to The Shamrock -in honor to the name of this store.
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Did you know?
There is no such thing as a "Shamrock Plant". The word Shamrock actually comes from the Irish word "searog" or "semair og" meaning "little clover". There are hundreds of varieties of the clover plant but the white clover is the plant most often referred to as the Shamrock, (World Book Enclyopedia, Vol 17,1993). According to irish folklore, if you find a stem of clover with 4 leaves you will be given good luck! Ever found one growing wild?
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Buy this Print at AllPosters.com
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Wearing 'o' the green.
It’s difficult to say exactly how the shamrock became to be such a recognised symbol of Ireland but it could be due to the perceived oppressive rule of the British in the 19th century, where it became a symbol of rebellion. Queen Victoria made it a crime to wear the shamrock on military uniforms and even made the crime punishable by death. It was no wonder that the Irish took to displaying the shamrock proudly on one's clothing in rebellion and this became known as the Wearing 'o' the green.
The making of a legend.
Throughout the 19th century, the shamrock legend seemed to take on new meaning to Irish people, not only in their own country but also all over the world. Today it is much more than a spiritual symbol and is a source of empowerment and national pride. For more about the shamrock legend, read "Fact vs. Fantasy : Ireland's Shamrock Legend", by
Deborah Felker.
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The Shamrock is cherished by Irish people everywhere and has become Ireland's most celebrated emblem. It is traditionally worn on St. Patrick's Day, an Irish national day but now the event is celebrated all around the world.
The importance of the Shamrock dates back to the 5th Century when legend suggests that St. Patrick himself used it to demonstrate the meaning of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - All in One Almighty God while converting the people of Ireland to Christianity. |
Irish and American poster
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St. Patrick believed his mission was to take ancient pagan Celtic ideas and beliefs and use them to explain the concepts of Christianity in such a way that the Druids and their followers would embrace Christ and the Trinity. St Patrick is said to have plucked the shamrock from the ground and said:
"Do you not see how in this wildflower three leaves are united on one stalk,
and will you then believe that there are indeed three persons and yet one God?"
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Legend tells us that this simple act led many to convert to Christianity. After this the Shamrock was reputed to have mystical powers, with one being that when the leaves stand upright it is to warn of an approaching storm.
The latest book from the Paulist Press’s series on world spiritual traditions gives accounts of Celtic Spirituality in Ireland. This generous volume includes writings by and about saints Patrick, Brigit, and Brendan.
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| Interested in your Irish heritage and Irish Coat of Arms.
Check it out here at our affiliate partner site.
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Shamrock gifts:
From the lush green hills of their homeland to the cramped ghettoes of industrialized cities an ocean away, from the famine-ravaged fields of Ireland to the community dance halls in America, the Irish documented their history through song.
Far from the Shamrock Shore tells the story of Irish immigration to America in words and lyrics, with an accompanying CD further illustrating the journey through song. The Irish-American folk and popular songs featured complement the text, highlighting issues immigrants faced and the social conditions they experienced from the 1700s to the early twentieth century. They tell of the backbreaking task of survival in the New World; the battles waged for fair treatment and fair pay for the work done by these immigrants on railroads, on canals, and in mines, construction, and factories; the success that they ultimately attained in politics, business, and society; and their continuing influence on American life and culture.
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