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Four-leaf clover
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common three-leaf clover. According to superstition, such leaves bring good luck to their finders, especially if found accidentally.[1]
Clovers can have more than four leaflets. The most leaflets ever recorded is eighteen.[2] It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover. [3]
According to legend, each leaflet represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.[3]
It is debated whether the fourth leaflet is caused genetically or environmentally. Its rarity suggests a possible recessive gene appearing at a low frequency. Alternatively, four-leaf clovers could be caused by somatic mutation or a developmental error of environmental causes. They could also be caused by the interaction of several genes that happen to segregate in the individual plant. It is possible all four explanations could apply to individual cases.
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The myths and symbolism of the four-leaf clover is endemic to Celtic traditions and may be seen transposed into the Celtic cross.[citation needed]
The four-leaf clover is often confused with the Shamrock. While the four-leaf clover is a symbol of "good luck," the three-leaf Shamrock is a mainly Irish Catholic symbol of the Holy Trinity.
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- In the TV series Futurama, the episode "Luck of the Fryish" revolves around two competitive brothers and a seven-leaf clover, which brings extraordinary amounts of good luck.
- In the film The Manhattan Project, a high-school student stumbles upon a secret plutonium-enrichment plant by noticing a statistically impossible patch of five-leaf clover on its grounds.
- In the online RPG Kingdom of Loathing, players can obtain a ten-leaf clover.
- In The Fairly Oddparents Timmy's dad told him to take a thirty-seven-leaf clover
- In the horror movie series Leprechaun starring Warwick Davis, a four leaf clover is used to fend off the Leprechaun.
- In Ed, Edd n Eddy, Johnny gets good luck with the clover by getting a $20.00 bill.
- ^ Mabey, Richard, Flora Britannica, Sinclair-Stevenson, London, 1996, p225. ISBN 1-85619-377-2
- ^ Guinness World Records - Natural World - Plant World - Clover - Most Leaves
- ^ a b How common are four-leaf clovers?