The four-leaf clover: luck found in the grass

Why a fourth leaf matters

A normal clover leaf has three small leaflets. A fourth leaflet is a natural variation, caused by genes and sometimes by growing conditions. The often-quoted figure is about one in ten thousand, though the real rate depends on the patch, so a lawn with a lucky streak can surprise you. That rarity is exactly why the sight of one feels special.

Folklore behind the symbol

Old European stories connect the clover with protection, and some say each leaf stands for something, such as faith, hope, love and luck. Those leaf meanings are a later, popular reading rather than an ancient doctrine. A well-known line holds that the four-leaf kind was said to let people see fairies, a charming bit of Irish and British lore.

Not the same as the shamrock

The shamrock of Saint Patrick's Day is a three-leaf clover, tied to Ireland and its patron saint. The four-leaf clover is a separate lucky symbol, and the two are often mixed up on greeting cards. In the United States you will also see the four-leaf shape used on greeting cards, pub signs and product logos.

Ways people keep one

• Pressing a found clover inside a book or between waxed paper.
• Setting it in a small glass pendant or resin charm.
• Giving a potted plant for a birthday or graduation.
• Wearing a silver or enamel clover pin or ring.

Searching for one

If you want to hunt, look in healthy, thick patches of white clover rather than in sprayed lawns, and take your time. Scanning for an odd symmetry works better than staring at single leaves. Pick only what you need, and leave the rest for other searchers. A found clover makes a sweet gift, though it cannot promise anything beyond a lucky moment.