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It is believed the club adopted the four-leaf clover as an emblem when one was found growing close to the centre circle of the Celtic Park pitch in the 1890s.
The discovery of the four-leaf clover was regarded in Celtic mythology as bringing luck to its finder. According to legend, each leaf represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck.
Despite being used on club stationary etc for decades this famous crest did not actually appear on the club shirt until the late 1970s. Indeed Celtic’s first crest was the Celtic Cross and this was worn on the first strip. Another emblem used regularly in the club’s early years was a harp against a blue background.
A large shamrock was used as the badge on away shirts in the 1950s. The Celtic Cross did make an appearance again in the centenary year and in 2003, to celebrate 100 years of the hoops. Fergus McCann once revealed tentative plans to replace the clover but outrage from fans saw the badge remain and today it is among the most enduring and loved of all Celtic icons.
It can be seen everywhere from New York to Cape Town to Sydney. Recognised by all football fans and loved by Celtic supporters, the four-leaf clover is a badge of many honours.