Claddagh rings are rings of a special design which originated in Ireland and has since spread throughout the world. The ring is usually used to signify either friendship or romantic love.
The design of claddagh rings is fairly simple, with a heart in the center wearing a crown on its peak, held by two hands. Each of these three elements corresponds to a trait viewed as necessary for a marriage to be happy. The heart represents love, the crown represents loyalty, and the hands represent friendship. The ring may be interpreted as stressing the importance that love be loyal and held up by a strong friendship.
Claddagh rings come from what was once the fishing village of Claddagh in Ireland. The region which was once the village is now a part of the city center of Galway City. Claddagh rings originate from some time during the 17th century, though their exact origins are only speculated upon.
The theory of origin given the most credence is that claddagh rings were the invention of a Galway native named Richard Joyce who wound up as a slave in Algiers. He eventually became the slave of a goldsmith, where he was taught the ways of metal working. When he was eventually released and returned to Ireland he created the concept of claddagh rings.
Another, certainly apocryphal, story tells of a woman who was a member of the Joyce clan. This woman was very generous and did many good works with a large inheritance from her husband, helping Galway to prosper. One day as a reward, the legend goes, an eagle dropped the ring which all other claddagh rings would be based upon to her.
Another story, falling somewhere between the two in its plausibility, speaks of a nobleman who forged the claddagh ring to prove his honorable intentions to a woman’s father. Upon hearing the nobleman’s explanation of the three virtues the claddagh ring symbolized, he gave his blessing and the couple was happily married. The story spread and soon other lovers began using claddagh rings to signify their own commitment.
Many people hold that the hand claddagh rings are worn on, as well as the direction the crown is facing, indicate something about the nature of the wearer’s romantic status. When worn on the right hand with the crown facing away from the hand, the wearer is in a serious relationship. If the crown is instead facing towards the hand, the wearer is romantically available. If worn on the left hand, it may either be interpreted as meaning the wearer is married, regardless of the crown position; or a distinction may be made between marriage, where the crown faces away from the hand, and engagement, where the crown faces towards the hand.
Claddagh rings have become very popular throughout the West both as symbols of friendship and as a pledge of romantic attachment. Less expensive silver claddagh rings are usually used as friendship rings, while very high-quality gold and adorned claddagh rings are often sold as wedding or engagement rings.