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The
Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh ring features a crowned heart supported
by two opened hands, symbolizing Love (the heart), Loyalty (the crown)
and Friendship (the hands).The design is supposed to have originated with
Richard Joyce, a sailor from Galway, who was kidnapped by pirates and
sold into slavery in Africa. When he returned to Galway, he refined the
goldsmithing skills he had learned in captivity, and designed this very
special ring. The Claddagh ring was used as a wedding band by the villagers
of Claddagh Village in Galway on the west coast of Ireland for many centuries.
Now it has become widely used as a friendship, engagement, and wedding
ring. For engagement, on the third finger of your left hand, with the
heart facing out. Then when you are wed, turn the heart to face inward.
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