The Claddagh Ring
This ancient tradition has unfortunately lost influence in contemporary society, so I felt the need to spread this knowledge to anyone that is pathetically bored enough to read my blog.
The Claddagh ring dates back to eighteenth century Ireland, from the fishing village of Claddagh (pronounced clah-dah) in county Galway. Legend has it that a young man, Richard Joyce, was captured by pirates on his way to the slave plantations of the Caribbean, and during his years in exile perfected his metalworking skills, eventually designing the Claddagh ring. Upon his arrival back in Ireland, he presented the ring to the woman who had been waiting all those years for him to return, symbolizing their undying love for each other.
The Claddagh is made up of three parts - the heart, hands, and crown. The heart stands for love, the hands for friendship, and the crown for loyalty. Worn on the right hand with the point of the heart facing out and the crown facing in means that your heart has yet to be won, i.e. you are single. Worn on the right hand with the heart facing in means that you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, and worn on the left hand facing in means that you are married.
For more info on the Claddagh rings, visit http://www.claddaghstory.com/
posted by elmogeo @ 7:58 PM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
Actually you can still find them pretty easliy today. I wear a claddagh myself. I've heard a slightly different variation of what they meanings are. Right toward you means your heart is open. Left away means you have a love/friendship under consideration. And left towards you means that two hearts have joined forever. So pretty much the same thing, but it makes it easier for everyone to wear them that way. The rings were also a big theme on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I dont know why anyone wouldn't read this. It's very interesting and caught my attention, because I used to have one until someone lost it. It was unfortunate and I couldn't find it anywhere. Plus, I never knew what kind of ring it was at first or what it was called, so it was hard to find. Moreso, the background is so sweet and was very touching. Thank you for blogging about this ring. You really opened my eyes to a lot and how to wear it since I found my love.
claddaghs arent rare at all really. i went to the scottish festival and highland games in illinois on saturday and they have TONS of them forsale with birthstones in them or just plain. they even have toerings! (they sell a lot of irish things too, even though its sposed to be scottish but whatever) i bought a claddagh there too! however, i already knew what it meant.
Good girl. very interesting indeed. I'm so glad you wrote about this ring and it's meaning. Just today, a friend of mine, was telling me how she would love to it has her wedding ring. wonder if the Claddagh can be found in Rome, Italy. Thankyou. Rossana.
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