You really honestly don't have to be Irish to be drawn to the wonderful symbol of a shamrock. Shamrock tattoos represent good luck and more then that they are an incredibly great looking tattoo that is always popular and in fashion. If you are thinking about a shamrock tattoo then you will want to read this article for more information. You will find more about what a shamrock is and the symbolism behind it. You will also learn more about different types of shamrock tattoos and some popular locations on the body to get a shamrock tattoo.

What Are Shamrocks

Shamrocks are really just the Irish word for a clover. There are a few different species of clover that are often called shamrocks. For example the is the old white clover, sorrel and the red clover plant that are all three called shamrocks. Now a shamrock is just a three leafed clover plant. It is often confused with the four leaf clover which is much more rare and considered to be a great deal luckier due to is rarity. However, shamrocks or the clover have long been a symbol associated with the Irish.

The Symbolism Behind Shamrock Tattoos

Shamrocks have for a long time been associated with good luck. Shamrocks are often equated to other good luck symbols like horseshoes or keeping your fingers crossed. Thus many people like to get shamrock tattoos because of the good luck symbol behind it. There is also a religious connotation to it in that the Catholic Church frequently will use shamrocks to represent St. Patrick.

Types Of Shamrock Tattoos

There are a few different types of design and styles that can be used for your shamrock tattoo. First and foremost is the photo realistic shamrock. This is just shamrock that looks like a real life one or at least a photo of one. There are the old school cartoon like shamrock tattoos. These are the types of tattoos that were done a long time ago and probably the most commonly thought. There are also a lot of shamrock tattoo that are intermixed with tribal and Celtic designs. A shamrock made out of a Celtic Knotwork pattern can luck especially stunning as the styles enhance each other well.

Locations For Shamrock Tattoos

Typically shamrock tattoos are not super large. Therefore putting them some where that is too big like the upper back or a complete chest piece often does not work. If you would like to put a shamrock in a large place then you will have to use the shamrock as only one part of the design and enhance it with some other artwork. Therefore most typically if the shamrock is the main focal point of the tattoo and there is not a lot around it then it is a small tattoo design and often suitable for smaller locations. Places like the shoulder, wrist, ankle, top of the foot, forearm are all a little smaller and better shaped for a shamrock tattoo.