☘
shamrock
Unicode: 2618
Description
Green shamrock plant with three leaves.
Group:
Animals & Nature > plant-other
Status:
unqualified
Emotion:
Represents good luck, fortune, Irish heritage, or the St. Patrick's Day holiday.
Backstory
The shamrock, a three-leaf clover, has been a symbol of Ireland for centuries, famously associated with St. Patrick who reportedly used it to explain the Holy Trinity. It was officially added to Unicode 1.1 in 1993, making it one of the earliest emojis related to cultural holidays and symbols. It is often confused with the four-leaf clover (🍀), which specifically represents good luck.
Usage Examples
- Wishing good luck: 'Good luck on your exam! ☘️'
- Celebrating St. Patrick's Day: 'Happy St. Patrick's Day! ☘️🍻'
- Referring to Irish heritage: 'My family is from Ireland ☘️'
- Talking about nature: 'Found a beautiful shamrock in the garden ☘️'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Strongly associated with Ireland, St. Patrick's Day, and good luck.
East Asian culture:
May be recognized as a lucky symbol, but less prominent or culturally specific than in Western cultures.