The Shamrock dates back to 1571 in written English and in written Irish to 1707 where it is known as seamrog, which means. It was referred to for the first time as a badge worn on the lapel for Saint Patrick's feastday in 1681. During the era of Grattan's Parliament in the 1770's, Irish Volunteers used the shamrock as their emblem, before The Act of Union came into effect. In Queen Victoria's time the wearing of the Shamrock was looked upon as rebellious and Irish regiments were forbidden to display it. Civilians at that time began wearing a little paper cross coloured red and green. The Shamrock has long been known as a symbol of Ireland and has been integrated into the symbology of the United Kingdom as has the Rose, the Thistle and the Leek of England, Scotland and Wales. Now, each year on St. Patrick's Day, the Irish Guards, a regiment of the British Army is presented with a Shamrock by the British Royal Family.

The Shamrock is unique to Ireland. It is a tiny wild green trefoil that comes up out of a blown-in seedpod. It is a fragile plant which does not live long once it has been picked. It is only recently that people have been able to grow and wear the Shamrock.

It is unclear exactly which member of the clover is the true shamrock picked by St. Patrick to explain the Trinity. Many believe it is the hop clover, which has yellow flowers and blue-green leaflets. Others say it is a variety of white clover or the black medic. And yet still, many believe it is the European wood sorrel which is found in Europe and Asia.

Before Christianity the Shamrock, which was once known as Seamrog, was a sacred plant of the Druids because its leaves formed a triad. Numbers were an important part of Celtic symbolism with the number three being the most sacred and mystical number. Three multiplies to nine, which is sacred to Brigid. It is said that, in Ireland, everything of significance usually comes in three such as:

Three is Ireland's magic number, and everything which is good or enjoyable comes in three. The Irish tradition of story telling is established on threefold reiteration. This accomplishes both intensification and exaggeration. Even today, Irish men cannot resist embellishing on a story in order to stretch a point.

The Shamrock has always been associated with St. Patrick. It is said that he used to Shamrock while preaching the doctrine of the trinity. Apparently during his teaching he picked the Shamrock, pointed out the three leaves as living proof of the Holy Trinity. He used the Shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover as a metaphor to explain the concept of the Trinity. He explained that there is only one stem which holds three leaves as it is with the Trinity. He was able to use the Shamrock in showing how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate components of the same person.

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