subject: The Myths And History Of The Claddagh Ring [print this page] The Claddagh Ring is a mysterious itemThe Claddagh Ring is a mysterious item. It has come to represent love, friendship and loyalty but it holds much more intrigue than that. In mythology, it is said to have originated in a small fishing village named Claddagh overlooking Galway Bay. A master goldsmith named Richard Joyce is credited for its original design. According to the tale, the week of his marriage, Joyce was departed for the West Indies on a ship. This ship was attacked by Pirates and the crew was kidnapped and sold as slaves. Joyce was purchased by a goldsmith who taught him the craft. Over the years he became a master and created the ring as a reminder to return home to his love. After William III took the English throne and released all those imprisoned by the trade, Joyce returned to Claddagh. He found his love waiting for him and he gave her the ring as a wedding gift. They married and thus is said the beginning of this romantic Irish tradition.It is also supposedly the only ring made in Ireland worn by Queen Victoria, and later throne successors Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII. They too led romantic young lives.
Overall this precious item is one of a group of rings titled "fede" or faith rings, a term dates to ancient Roman times and signifies a contractual binding between individuals. They are distinguishable because they feature a bezel cut or cast with two clasped hands. They are worn as reminders to the parties that they hold obligation to the other to complete a mission or to uphold a promise. The tradition followed throughout the Medieval Ages and throughout the stretches of Europe. What differentiates the Claddagh rings from the rest of the fede rings is that it has the hands clasping a heart.
The rings are special in that they are signifiers of your love life. That means that you should wear them with care. If you wear the ring on the right hand with the heart facing outward it means you're open to find love. If the heart faces inward it means you have built friendship or love prior to a wedding. Wearing it on your left hand with the heart facing outward means you're engaged. It will be worn this way all throughout the ceremony. Once the ceremony is complete, it means you're betrothed.
This promise ring (of sorts) is an ideal heirloom that can be inherited by a family member as well for your ceremony.
