The world is teeming with danger and unpredictability. To safeguard themselves from harm and invite good fortune, people across cultures carry or display symbolic charms and trinkets. It is common to see beckoning cat figurines in stores in Japan, while people in China have historically kept crickets in cages for good luck. Even flora can serve as emblems of luck, with the four-leaf clover standing out as perhaps the most iconic.
A clover is a small plant that typically grows 10 to 30 cms in height. While there are many species of clover, the variety that people consider to be lucky features green, heart-shaped leaves. Generally, these clovers have three symmetrical leaves that fan out from the stem. On rare occasions, however, genetic mutations result in the growth of a fourth leaflet, or even more. These anomalies are difficult to come by, with the odds of discovering a four-leaf clover estimated at just 1 in 5,000.
Because of their rarity, four-leaf clovers are widely viewed as potent symbols of luck. Those seeking one may have a better chance in warmer months, as research suggests clovers are more prone to produce extra leaflets in warm, sunny conditions. In addition, spots where four-leaf clovers have previously been discovered are ideal starting points. Although the precise genetic mechanisms behind the anomaly remain unclear, scientists agree that these lucky variants often appear in clusters within specific areas.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
世界充滿危險和不可預測性。為了保護自己不受傷害並招來好運，來自不同文化的人們都會攜帶或展示象徵性的飾品和小物。舉例來說，在日本商店裡常常會看到招財貓塑像，而中國人過去會把蟋蟀放在籠子裡以求好運。即使是植物也能作為幸運的象徵，其中或許以四葉幸運草最具代表性。
三葉草是一種小型植物，通常會長到十至三十公分高。三葉草有許多種類，但人們認為會帶來幸運的是有著綠色心型葉子的品種。通常這些三葉草有著三片從莖向外發散的對稱葉子。不過，在很稀有的情況下，基因突變會導致長出第四葉或甚至更多葉子。這些突變種很難找到，發現四葉幸運草的機率僅有五千分之一。
由於四葉幸運草很稀有，它們被廣泛視為強大的幸運象徵。想要找到四葉幸運草的人在較溫暖的月分可能比較有機會找到，因為研究顯示，三葉草在溫暖且陽光充足的環境下，更有可能長出額外的葉子。此外，先前曾經發現過四葉幸運草的地點是理想的起點。儘管這種突變幸運草背後的確切基因機制仍不清楚，但科學家一致同意，這些幸運的突變種常常會在特定區域內的三葉草草叢裡出現。
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
Words in Use
1. safeguard vt. 保護，防衛
To safeguard our computer system, the engineer installed anti-virus software.
為了保護我們的電腦系統，工程師安裝了防毒軟體。
2. beckon vi. & vt.
（向……）招手（本文為現在分詞作形容詞用）
I beckoned the waiter to come and take our order.
我招手示意要服務生過來為我們點餐。
3. historically adv. 歷史上
Historically, the party was opposed to this form of government.
在歷史上，該政黨一直都反對這種形式的政府。
4. emblem n. 象徵
The dove is an emblem of peace recognized around the world.
白鴿是全世界公認的和平象徵。
5. symmetrical a. 對稱的
Snowflakes are known for their intricate and symmetrical shapes.
雪花以其複雜且對稱的形狀聞名。
Practical Phrases
1. be teeming with. . . 到處都是……
The landscape is covered with sea-eroded holes which are teeming with sea life.
該處陸地景致滿是海水侵蝕的凹洞，裡面充滿大量的海洋生物。
2. stand out as. . . 以……（身分或特質）
而出眾∕脫穎而出
This building stands out as a masterpiece of modern architecture.
這棟建築以現代建築的傑作而出類拔萃。
3. fan out 成扇形散開
The police fanned out and searched the entire area for the missing child.
警方成扇形散開，在整個區域搜尋那名失蹤兒童。
4. come by. . . （偶然）得到……
（通常為珍貴或稀少的事物）
Good jobs are hard to come by these days.
現在很難找到好工作。
5. be estimated at + 數字 估計有……
The plane’s time of arrival was estimated at less than an hour.
這架飛機預計再不到一小時就要抵達了。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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