Claddagh Ring Meaning, Claddagh History, and How to Wear a Claddagh Ring

Imagine what it would be like to experience every stage of love, loyalty, and friendship. The Claddagh story is Irish folklore steeped in the romantic tradition.

Learn How to Wear a Claddagh Ring and the meaning of the Claddagh ring ...

What is a Claddagh ring?

A Claddagh Ring is an Irish ring that symbolizes friendship, loyalty, and love.

 

What are Fenian Claddagh Rings or Fede Rings?

Claddagh rings are fede rings and have a long history dating back to Roman times. The name "fede" derives from the Italian phrase mani in fede meaning loosely "hands joined in faith" or "hands joined in loyalty". The clasped hands were viewed as promise rings used as engagement rings or wedding rings in medieval and Renaissance Europe. Irish Claddagh rings are a version of the fede ring that has roots deeply seeded in long standing Irish tradition.

The Fenian Claddagh is also called the Dublin Claddagh Ring. This Claddagh Ring style is a fede ring with two hands holding a heart and no crown was made in Dublin in the 1800s. It became known as the Fenian Claddagh Ring or the Dublin Claddagh Ring.

Claddagh Engagement Ring

You can share your love for your partner with a Claddagh Engagement Ring. Traditionally a Claddagh engagement ring is worn on the left hand with the heart facing outward to symbolize engagement and pointed inward for marriage. Claddagh engagement rings have proclaimed love, loyalty, and friendship for centuries. Truly any Irish Claddagh Ring can be worn as an Irish Promise Ring or Claddagh Engagement Ring.

How do you wear a Claddagh ring?

• To wear a Claddagh ring on the right hand with the crown turned outwards, away from you indicates that the wearer is single.
• To wear a Claddagh ring on the right hand with the crown turned inward, towards you symbolizes that the wearer is being courted in a relationship.
• To wear a Claddagh ring on the left hand with the crown turned outwards, away from you indicates a romantic engagement.
• To wear a Claddagh ring on the left hand with the crown turned inward, towards you on the left hand indicates marriage.

 

How should I wear my Claddagh Ring?

 If you are single wear your Claddagh Ring on the right hand with the crown turned outwards. If you are dating wear your Claddagh Ring on the right hand with the crown turned inward. If you are engaged wear your Claddagh Ring on the left hand with the crown turned outwards. If you are married wear your Claddagh Ring on the left hand with the crown turned inward.

 

What is the Claddagh tradition?

There is a Claddagh tradition in Ireland. In Ireland, it is traditional for mothers to hand down Claddagh rings to their daughters.

 

How is the word Claddagh pronounced?

The Irish word Claddagh is pronounced [klah-duh]. It is also called a fáinne Chladaigh in Irish or in Gaelic the Cladach pronounced [klad-ukh]. Pronouncing the word Claddagh is now more commonly pronounced without the Gaelic accent as simply [klad-uh].

What is the meaning of Claddagh rings?

So what do Claddagh rings mean? Irish or not, if you want to give a token of your friendship, love, and loyalty that has meaning, the Claddagh rings may be the choice for you. Claddagh rings are often mistakenly spelled Clatter Ring or Clodagh Ring like it sounds (Irish: fáinne Chladaigh) is a traditional Irish ring. The Claddagh ring means eternal love, loyalty, and friendship. Claddagh rings consist of a heart with a crown held by two hands symbolizing love, loyalty, and friendship. Claddagh Rings have become a world-renowned symbol of love.

 

What does the Claddagh Ring mean?

The traditional Irish Claddagh ring is a symbol of friendship, love, and loyalty. The hands of the Claddagh ring stand for friendship. The heart of the Claddagh ring stands for love and the crown is a symbol of loyalty.

The Claddagh has been worn since Roman times! The beautiful meaning of the ring has made the Claddagh ring a celebrated romantic gift for people of all nationalities. But none can argue that the Claddagh ring holds a rather special meaning to those romantics of Irish heritage.

 

Is it bad luck to buy your own Claddagh Ring?

You probably know Irish superstition says it is bad luck to purchase a Claddagh ring for yourself. Everyone knows Irish tradition says a Claddagh Ring must be given as a token of love or received as a gift. But to heck with Irish superstition. What if you made your own Irish family tradition?

 

Is the Claddagh Ring Celtic?

The Claddagh Ring is Celtic. It is an Irish Celtic symbol of love. Celtic or celt refers to the people, language, and traditions of the Celtic Nations of Indo-Europe including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall, and Brittany.

 

Can you buy your own Claddagh Ring?

As you know Irish Claddagh Rings are traditionally given by a loved one as a symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship.

 

What is the story behind the Claddagh Ring?

As you know The Claddagh Ring story is wonderful Irish folklore. Imagine Ireland in the days long ago when a young man was captured and sold into slavery from the fishing village of Claddagh off the coast of Ireland. Can you imagine how many years passed while he wondered if his true love waited? As the years wore on he stole tiny bits of gold from his master to make her a ring. He fashioned a heart for love, a crown for loyalty, and hands as a symbol of friendship. Can you just picture the tiny first Claddagh ring that is made? After many years he returned home to the village of Claddagh Ireland. To his magical delight, he discovered his true love had waited for him. He gave her the ring as a symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship forever known now as the Claddagh Ring.

Origin of the Claddagh Ring

It has been said that the traditional Irish Claddagh Ring dates back to the 17th century. As the Claddagh story goes it first came from the small fishing village of Claddagh in County Galway, Ireland. There are many folktales claiming the origin of the Irish Claddagh ring but the most popular story of the Claddagh is about the Joyce family.

It is said that the earliest known Claddagh ring has the maker's mark of a silversmith, what we now call a jeweler by the name of Richard Joyce who worked during the 1700s.  Irish legend says that Richard Joyce himself was the lad captured and enslaved by Algerians and sold to a Moorish goldsmith where he learned his craft of silversmithing.

 

Can you wear a Claddagh Ring if you are not Irish?

Yes, you can absolutely wear a Claddagh Ring if you are not Irish. The Claddagh Ring has become known as a token of love around the world worn by Irish and those of non-Irish heritage.

 

Can you wear a Claddagh Ring if you are single?

Yes, you can wear a Claddagh Ring if you are single. Claddagh Rings are often passed down from mothers to their daughters.

 

Do guys wear Claddagh Rings?

Claddagh Rings are a universal token of love for lads and lassies. Claddagh Rings are worn by both men and women as promise rings, engagement rings, and as wedding bands as a symbol of friendship, love, and loyalty.

 

 

Shop at The Irish Jewelry Company for your Claddagh Ring today!

 

What are the different types of Claddaghs and Claddagh Rings offered by The Irish Jewelry Company?

Traditional Irish Claddagh Ring

Fenian Claddagh Ring

Birthstone Claddagh Rings

Mothers Claddagh

Aran Claddagh

Claddagh Stackable Ring

Trinity Claddagh Ring

Family Claddagh Birthstone Necklace