![]() The most widely accepted meaning for this design element is, of course, “love.” When it comes to the heart in a Claddagh design, the symbolism is pretty obvious. What is a Claddagh ring if not a symbol of love? So, let’s circle back to the iconic Claddagh design itself: the heart, hands, and crown. Instead, this design is draped in many layers of symbolism, including the three elements that make a ring a Claddagh ring in the first place. However, this is more than just a general meaning. We briefly mentioned that the Claddagh ring design represents love, loyalty, and friendship. Unraveling The Meaning And Symbolism Behind The Claddagh And for much the same reason, the Claddagh ring has maintained some level of popularity throughout the years. Each year, the United States throws countless Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations. However, this discrimination played a major role in the resilience and lasting relevance of Irish culture. But at the time, discrimination against these newcomers was rampant. Today, it seems like everyone has some amount of Irish in their family. Naturally, they brought facets of their culture and traditions along with them. It’s no secret that famine brought millions of Irish immigrants to North America between 18. You might stumble across one of these rings and ask yourself, “What is a Claddagh ring doing in 21st Century America?” Well, the answer to that question requires a quick history refresher. However, you can still find Claddagh rings at Rennaisance Faires, high-end jewelers, and even your local mall. The fede ring faded away during the late-18th Century, possibly because of more formal marriage laws and ceremonies. Why is the Claddagh ring still popular today? But perhaps the Claddagh ring took direct inspiration from what little Roman influence did cross paths with Celtic culture. Since the Romans had control of most of Europe at one point or another, it’s no surprise that these rings found their way into many different cultures.Ĭompared to most of the region, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales experienced minimal Roman presence. And with a design that features two hands clasping each other, it’s not hard to see why historians think these two designs are connected.įede rings have been around for centuries, if not longer, with many historians believing they have Roman origins. This ring symbolized love and loyalty and often served as a wedding band. We do know, though, that the Claddagh ring bears a striking resemblance to the fede ring. In fact, we don’t even know exactly when the concept first appeared. We don’t know exactly who first created the design or where in Ireland this ring first emerged. The origin of the Claddagh ring is remarkably mysterious for such an innocuous object. When was the Claddagh ring first created? We have no solid proof one way or another, though, so this claim is up for debate. ![]() Some believe that this is where the first Claddagh ring was designed, hence the name. Instead, Claddagh is simply the name of an old Irish fishing village. But, actually, this name has nothing to do with the answer to, “What is a Claddagh ring, and what does it mean?” You might think that “Claddagh” has some poetic translation about love and loyalty. This pronunciation isn’t 100 percent loyal to the original Gaelic pronunciation, but it’s the preferred way of saying this word today. The name “Claddagh” can be a bit of a conundrum for non-Gaelic speakers - in more ways than one.įirst, in case you’re wondering, it’s pronounced klah-duh. However, not all questions about the Claddagh’s origin have a clear answer. While its use has spread throughout the world and to different cultures, it’s still firmly rooted in Irish culture. ![]() The Claddagh ring comes from Celtic culture, specifically from Ireland (though the Scottish do have a similar symbol, the Luckenbooth). If this is the first time you’ve ever heard of the Claddagh design and its significance, it might be because you’ve had little exposure to Irish culture throughout your life. Few, if any, other types of jewelry carry so much meaning. If you know what to look for, you can learn a lot about someone’s personal life just by looking at the Claddagh ring on their hand. Specifically, how it communicates their relationship status. One of the most unique traits of the Claddagh ring is its changing meaning depending on the specific way the wearer chooses to don it. But this isn’t the only factor separating this jewelry from other common designs. So that’s the typical appearance of a Claddagh ring. While there are countless different takes on this original design, these three elements are pretty much always present. Visually, the traditional Claddagh design features two hands grasping a heart, topped with a crown. After all, it’s the unique design that makes a Claddagh ring. Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’d probably know one of these rings on sight.
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