The Meaning of a Claddagh Ring
Have you ever wondered what the meaning is behind a Claddagh ring? Well, I definitely have, and I have a long time Irish friend named Tina. We met when I was in high school, and I had always admired the claddagh ring she wore. I never knew it was called a Claddagh ring until I finally asked her about it.
Claddagh rings are most worn as an engagement ring or a wedding ring. They are also used as friendship rings. Mothers often give one to their daughters when they are coming of age. This is how Tina received hers. It was a gift from her mother that was passed down from her mother which is a tradition in their Irish family.
See our entire collection of Claddagh Ring here.
Did you know that the Irish Claddagh ring also dates back to the 17th century? It is named after the ancient village of Claddagh near Galway Ireland. It is about Richard Joyce and Margaret.
Richard was a fisherman from Claddagh. Spanish soldiers stole his boat and enslaved him for many years. He was made a slave for many years and then sold to a goldsmith. The goldsmith taught Richard the goldsmith trade and Richard, stole a piece of gold daily so that he could make a ring for his beloved Margaret.
Finally, he was able to make the Claddagh ring for Margaret. After all, she was the love of his life and desperately hoped to return to her and the village of Claddagh.
Richard eventually made it back to the village of Claddagh and presented Margaret with the Claddagh ring and the rest is history. Isn’t that cool? I just love the history and especially this story. I guess I am a true romantic at heart.
So, when it comes to true Irish tradition and significance and when you wear a Claddagh ring, you are displaying a uniquely wonderful piece of Irish history.
The Claddagh is also connected to the Celtic Knot. This is because they are both a part of the Irish Culture dating as far back as 1200 BC.
See our entire collection of Celtic Knots here.
And even though the Claddagh ring is most popular in Ireland and among the Irish, the Claddagh ring is now one of the most recognizable pieces of jewelry and popular all over the world. Even celebrities and people of stature wear the Claddagh. For example, Princess Grace of Monaco wore a Claddagh ring as well as Queen Victoria. Some celebrities you may know who also have been seen wearing a Claddagh ring is Sarah Michelle Gellar, Julia Roberts, John Wayne, Kim Kardashian, and John F Kennedy. Just to name a few.
The Claddagh ring meaning is all about love, loyalty, and friendship. The two hands represent friendship, a heart symbolizes love and the crown on top is for loyalty. People from all over the world look for unique styles of this ring to establish their relationship status.
The Claddagh ring can be worn on different fingers or hands, depending on your status. Status meaning single, engaged, in a relationship, or married. The Claddagh meaning is the same for both men and women.
Here is the meaning of the symbols on the ring:
Two Hands are clasped around a heart. The heart hands are a representation of friendship.
A Heart is a representation of love.
A Crown is a representation of loyalty and fidelity.
I want to thank you for reading and like the Irish say:
May you have a world full of wishes at your command.
With gratitude,
Jill