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Friday, February 17, 2012

The Lost Symbolism of Men’s Claddagh Rings

It’s been a long time since men’s Claddagh rings appeared on the scene. At first they were worn exclusively by men with an Irish heritage, and perhaps the occasional superstitious person with a penchant for Irish good luck charms. But the uniqueness and symbolism of these traditional Celtic bands caused them to rise quickly to the top in men’s jewelry sales.

It wasn’t until the 60s and 70s, when couples started to plan very personalized weddings, that men’s Claddagh rings became a must-have for Irish-themed nuptials, but these rings are not just for the Irish. Couples from all nationalities appreciate the wedding traditions surrounding the Claddagh ring, which actually include directions on how it is to be worn.

Men's Silver Claddagh Band
The Claddagh is actually an ancient Gaelic symbol, but it has evolved to become the universal symbol of eternal love, friendship and loyalty. It was originally created about 400 years ago in a small village near Galway, Ireland. Men’s Claddagh rings didn’t come along right away, yet they have become just as popular as women’s Claddagh rings. The symbol itself shows a crown above two hands clasping a heart in the middle.

A traditional Irish wedding ring incorporates the design of the Claddagh, but in the U.S. a Claddagh ring is just as likely to be worn as a fashion ring or promise ring. The imagery on Claddagh rings represents two hands holding a lover’s heart with a crown above, which is translated to mean, “With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love.”

Like everything else that stems from Celtic roots, the images on men’s Claddagh rings are steeped in symbolism. The crown is a symbol of loyalty, the hands a symbol of friendship and the heart a symbol of love. Some contemporary versions of the Claddagh rings also incorporate a cross to symbolize faith. In keeping with Irish tradition, a mother would typically pass along the family’s Claddagh ring to the oldest daughter on her wedding day.

Not everyone who buys a Claddagh ring is aware of this, but there is a specific way to wear these symbolic rings. When worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward, it means your heart is still open to new love. If it is worn on the right hand with the heart facing inward, it tells the world you are dating and unavailable. However, when it is worn on the left hand with the heart facing inward, it means you have found your life’s true love. This is an important consideration when buying men’s Claddagh rings as wedding bands.

Most of the Claddagh rings worn today are made from sterling silver or stainless steel, but it is also possible to find them in 18K gold. Some couples purchase plain men’s Claddagh rings and ask a jeweler to add a diamond or other gemstone later. Others prefer the simplicity of a polished silver Claddagh ring for both a man’s and woman’s wedding band. However you decide to wear Claddagh rings, it makes sense to compare prices online before making a purchase.


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