Four-Leaf Clovers

A four-leaf clover is a naturally occurring — but relatively rare — variation of the more common three-leaf clover (or shamrock), which is why it’s “lucky” to find one.

In the four leaf clover, we see a demonstration of the quaternary principle. A clover with four leaves evokes a sense of equilibrium and symmetry — wholeness. It is balanced, like the square. Its form echoes the four points of the cross and the four points of the compass. Consider the tetramorph, with its four points each correlated to an Evangelist: Mark (lion); Luke (bull); John (eagle); and Matthew (Angel).

We are starting to digress, dear readers. Let’s get back to the business at hand —four-leaf clovers.

Notwithstanding the lyrics to that great old tune “I’m looking over a four leaf clover,” each leaf is said to represent a different blessing: Faith, Hope, Love and Luck.

Four-leaf clovers are widely recognized as symbols of good luck. Many companies and organizations use the four-leaf clover in their logos, including: Alfa Romeo, Ito En tea, and the 4-H club. The iconic Van Cleef & Arpels “quatrefoil” from the Alhambra collection and Louis Vuitton’s logo both incorporate stylized four-leaf clovers.

If you want to find your own four-leaf clover, head over to The Bonheur blog for some tips from expert four-leaf clover hunter Leslie Hirst.