The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHY A SHAMROCK HAS THREE LEAVES

ST. PATRICK WAS HAVING A HARD TIME CONVERTING THE PAGANS OF IRELAND
TO CATHOLICISM. NEXT HE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE KING, BUT HE FAILED
THERE TOO. ONE DAY HE WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT THE TRINITY BUT THE
PEOPLE COULDN'T CONCEIVE HOW THREE PERSONS COULD BE IN ONE. SO
ST. PATRICK TOOK A SHAMROCK AND POINTED OUT HOW THERE ARE THREE
LEAVES IN ONE ORGANISM. THE KING THOUGHT THIS A LOGICAL EXPLANATION
BECAUSE NO ONE COULD DENY IT. THUS HE WAS BAPTIZED AND HIS SUBJECTS
FOLLOWED HIM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

Keyword(s): THREE AS HOLY NUMBER

Date learned: 09-29-1968