How to Wear a Claddagh Ring
Claddagh
The way a Claddagh ring is worn is said to convey various messages about the wearers 'availability'.
Right Hand with Heart Away from body:
If the Claddagh
ring is worn on the right hand and the heart is pointing
away from the wearers body then the wearer is signaling
they are currently not in a relationship and are
potentially 'available'.
Right Hand with Heart Pointing Toward the Body:
If the ring is worn on the right hand but the heart
is pointing towards the wearers body, then the wearer
is saying that they are in a relationship and that
their heart has been 'captured'.
Left Hand (Ring Finger) with Heart Pointing Away
from Body:
A Claddagh ring worn on the left hand with the heart
pointing away from the body means that they wearer
is engaged to be married.
Left Hand (Ring Finger) with Heart Pointing
Towards the Body:
When worn on the left
hand with the heart pointing to the body, this
indicates that the person is married.
A common wedding vow when using Claddagh wedding rings is "With my hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love."
History of the Claddagh:
The Claddagh design originated in the fishing village
of Claddagh located near the city of Galway.
The design, as we know it today, comes from the 17th
century and was first produced during the reign of
Queen Mary II.
The Claddagh design has two hands clasping a heart. The design usually includes a crown too. The three elements of the Claddagh design are associated with:
- Heart: to symbolize Love
- Hands: to symbolize friendship
- Crown: to symbolize loyalty
