by Maegan Crandall
I was a teenager when I first saw a Claddagh ring. I was watching a travel video about Ireland and will forever associate the beautiful Irish ring with the romance of travel. Claddagh rings are gorgeous and unique; the basic Claddagh ring design incorporates a heart held in a pair of hands, topped off with a crown. This piece of Celtic jewelry has a lot of meaning and symbolism. You don't have to be Irish to know that Celtic rings and other Irish jewelry are the perfect way to feel connected to a distant land, a fabled past and a passionate people. Wear Celtic jewelry pieces, such as the Claddagh ring and other Irish rings, to give an outfit a fantastical jewelry style. This history of the famous Irish jewelry will inspire you to choose Celtic rings for your jewelry collection.
Love, friendship and loyalty: The Claddagh Irish ring is a specific design: two hands holding a heart with a crown. This symbol stands for love, friendship and loyalty. Pieces of this design are ancient, and they were first brought together in the 17th century. This Irish ring has been given historically as both a romantic gift, such as a wedding ring, and as a gift of friendship.
The town of Claddagh: The Claddagh ring is named after its birthplace, Claddagh. Claddagh is a former fishing village on the west coast of Ireland. Claddagh is known for having rich traditions and a strong Irish identity. Claddagh rings were traditionally passed through generations as wedding rings and heirlooms. Many legends about the Claddagh ring abound, which only makes this piece of Irish jewelry more fantastical and romantic.
Modern Claddagh: Claddagh rings are still common in Irish culture. In addition, Irish immigrants have shared the Claddagh ring design with the world, and many individuals of various backgrounds wear Claddagh rings today. Many Pagans and Wiccans wear Claddagh rings to honor strong Pagan-Irish history.
Wearing Irish jewelry: Claddagh rings are available in many different styles and varieties. Traditional Claddagh rings can be found in gold, silver and other precious metals. Unique Claddagh rings may incorporate gemstones and some style variations. Traditionally, Claddagh rings are used to convey meaning and intent. Wearing your Claddagh ring on your right hand with the heart facing away from you shows that you are looking for love, while wearing it with the heart facing toward you indicates that you are in a relationship. Wearing a Claddagh ring on your left hand with the heart facing away from you shows that you are engaged, while wearing it with the heart facing toward you indicates that you are married.
