How to Wear a Claddagh Ring

One of the most culturally significant pieces of jewelry in history is perhaps the Irish Claddagh ring. The ring's history can be traced back as far as over 300 years. The design and the way the ring is worn has specific Claddagh ring meaning.

What is the Claddagh Ring Meaning?
The importance of the ring lies in its meanings. There have however, been some changes in the designs, but the meanings remain the same. The word Claddagh refers to a small fishing village in Ireland. The ring was first made in that fishing village and therefore got its name 'Claddagh Ring'. Claddagh was a small village with winding streets and houses with small thatched roof.

If you look at the original design of the Claddagh ring, there is a heart that is held by two hands. On the top heart, there is a crown. The initial meanings portrayed the love between two hearts that were oceans apart. The heart stands for love, the hands for friendship and togetherness and the crown signifies loyalty.

Origins of Claddagh Ring
There are two stories that surround the origin of the Callaghan ring. The first story says that the first person to have created the Claddagh ring was Richard Joyce, a slave from the Claddagh village. He had the ring made for his lover. The meaning basically revolves around the story of Richard. It is said, Richard returned to his lover in Claddagh after he was free from the bonds of slavery. There are many legends surrounding the story, some say he escaped slavery and returned a free man to Claddagh and gifted his lover with the Claddagh ring.

The second story is about Margret Joyce who inherited a huge amount of money from her late husband Domingo de Rona. She remarried the mayor of Galway Oliver Og French, in 1596 and he used her money to build bridges in Connacht. The first ring was her providential reward that was drooped in her lap by an eagle. Let us now answer the question that has brought you to this page, how to wear a Claddagh ring.

How to Wear the Claddagh Ring?
The Claddagh ring meaning not only lies in the symbols of heart, crown and hands but also which hand it is worn and direction the crown points. As a wedding ring it is worn on the left hand. The crown points away from the heart of the person wearing the ring. This shows that your heart has been joined together with another heart forever.

If a person has entered a new relationship, the ring is supposed to be worn on the right hand with the crown pointing away from the heart. This shows that your heart is won over by someone and is no longer open to new relations. This makes Claddagh a perfect engagement ring. The same method implies to those not interested in starting a relationship. You can read more on which finger does the engagement ring go on. If you wear the ring on the right hand with the crown facing towards your heart, it means you are willing to consider love or new relationship. This shows that the heart is open to love and has not been won over by someone.

A Claddagh ring can be worn by both men and women. So follow the instructions on how to wear the Claddagh ring, and proclaim to the world your current relationship status.