Monday, June 20, 2011

Celtic Four Leaf Clover Tattoo Designs

Celtic Four Leaf Clover Tattoo Designs
A brief overview on four leaf clover tattoos: Four leaf clovers have long been a symbol of good luck–but why? Four leaf clover tattoos are incredibly common, and yet, other good luck symbols, like horse shoes or rabbit’s feet are not so common. What makes four leaf clovers so special?

Typically, associated with Ireland’s rolling hills and legends of leprechauns, the four leaf clover is actually closely related with the shamrock, which is considered a charm against evil. The difference of course is that a shamrock is quite common and only has three leaves. The fourth leaf is actually caused by a genetic mutation. As a result, one leaf is often smaller than the other three, but in media imagery and today’s pop culture all four leaves are of equal size. But what do they mean?

Symbolically, one leave is for hope, one for faith, one for love, and one for — you guessed it — luck. The reason these plants are associated with luck most of all is probably because of how rare they are. Many people have spent hours crawling through the grassy fields on sunny afternoons and still haven’t found one.

Because four leaf clover tattoos are so common, there is a vast array of designs available for them, ranging from solid green and plain, to sporting complex shading and texture with adornments like Ireland’s flag, a crown, or a white dove.

Many four leaf clover tattoos are adorned with flowers surrounding the actual clover to add some color and dynamics to the tattoo. Others feature ribbons or sashes encircling the clover and giving the tattoo a grander, even regal appearance. And because four leaf clovers symbolize luck, it’s not at all uncommon to see the word ‘luck’ either above or below the clover in various styles of script.

Also, to emphasize the connection between four leaf clovers and Ireland, oftentimes Celtic symbolism is connected with clover, such as a Celtic cross, Celtic knot designs, or even the great tree of life from Celtic mythology.

Most people can remember the days when they searched their backyards for four leaf clovers, so it’s not at all hard to understand why four leaf clover tattoos are so popular. And if it truly does bring good luck, it never hurts to have one.

Celtic Shamrock Tattoo Designs

Celtic Shamrock Tattoo Designs
As the old saying goes “To be born Irish is to be born lucky.” Celtic tattoos of a shamrock have been a popular tattoo over the years and are known for brining luck. Having a good luck charm such as Celtic shamrock tattoo is said to improve your luck because it will make you more aware of your surroundings and opportunities therefore making you more likely to adopt a resilient attitude which in turn helps you to make your own luck. A Celtic tattoo of a shamrock is a great way to signify and represent ones luck. Several Celtic symbols are known to represent luck such as claddaghs, bells, harps, horseshoes, rainbows, etc. However shamrock tattoos are know to be the luckiest symbol of the Celtic culture and thus are a popular tattoo.

Shamrocks have been considered a lucky symbol ever since the legend St. Patrick used a shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity. One leaf for the son, one leaf for the father, and the final leaf for the Holy Spirit. The shamrock is the most recognizable symbol of Ireland. Celtic tattoos of a shamrock can be a great way to display your Irish heritage. The Irish, like their Celtic ancestors connect deeply with nature and shamrock tattoos can represent a profound love and respect for nature.
It’s important to note that a four leaf clover shouldn’t be confused with Ireland’s beloved shamrock. The 4 leafs represent hope, luck, faith and love.

What’s great about Celtic Shamrock tattoos is that they can be small enough to wear almost anywhere on your body. Your hip, lower back, arm, hand, foot, ankle, back of your neck, all are perfectly acceptable locations. Also keep in mind that it’s a great idea to combine shamrock tattoos with other Celtic designs. It allows for your tattoo design to be unique and out of the ordinary. For example, you might want to pair up a shamrock with a claddagh which can represent friendship, loyalty, and love. You might have a shamrock placed inside of a Celtic cross, or you could have a Celtic knot entwined with a shamrock. The possibilities are never ending.

In conclusion, shamrock tattoos can be the perfect embodiment of the Celtic culture and is one of the oldest and most popular symbols.