Symbolism In Claddagh Rings

There is a lot of symbolism in jewelry. For example, it is not uncommon for a man to walk into a bar, see a woman he finds attractive and for that man to immediately look at a woman's left hand. Doesn't this seem odd to anyone else? Well, no. Not if you're aware of the custom of wearing a ring on your ring finger of your left hand to symbolize your marital status.

The engagement and wedding rings aren't the only symbolic rings however. There is an entire world of rings called fede rings that also symbolize union. The most popular type of fede rings are claddagh rings. These rings, which gain their name from the small town outside of Galway Ireland where they were founded, are a special type of ring that can symbolize many different iterations of marital status.

The ring, which features two hands clasping a heart and a crown over the heart, can be worn in a number of ways. If it is worn on the right hand with the point of the heart facing away from the body, it means that the person wearing it has no romantic attachment and is free to be courted. However, beware boys because if the ring is on that same finger, but the point of the heart is facing in, it means that there is a strong romantic bond between that person and another. It does not however mean they are engaged to be married. When worn on the left hand ring finger, regardless of orientation of the heart, it means that the person is engaged or married.

While Claddagh rings have mainly been a symbol of Irish culture, they are worn by many nationalities as a symbol of attachment. Another interesting fact is that even though they have been produced on a consistent basis in Galway, Ireland since around the 1700s, the term "Claddagh" did not come about until the 1840s!

These Claddagh rings have not only a symbolic purpose for a couple who is getting married, or for someone looking for love, they also have a personal and strong family symbolism. It is tradition that the ring will be passed from a mother to her future-son-in-law to give to his bride to be as an engagement ring. This way the ring is handed down through the generations to give extra meaning. It is interesting that a tradition that began in the earliest of the Renaissance years has survived with such vigor throughout the centuries to still be relevant and meaningful today.

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