The Claddagh Ring is one of the most famous and enduring love tokens. The Claddagh ring consists of two hands holding between them or presenting a heart and over the heart is a design like a crown or a fleur de lis or coronet. The phrase or posy that usually accompanies the ring is let love and friendship reign.
Among all peoples the union of the heart and hands fall under 3 headings
- Sentimental: Love and Friendship
- Religious: âHe who prays and labour lifts his heart to god with his handâ
- Patriotic: âThe union of the hearts, the Union of hands is the flag of our union foreverâ
- Freedom: Amongst the Romans a ring was always forbidden to be worn by slaves.
A ring is seen as a symbol of authority and of delegated authority when a ring is passed to another.
The Claddagh ring became a symbol of traditional significance and
design, today it is an internationally recognised token of love,
friendship, honour, loyalty, freedom and hope.
Traditionally the Claddagh ring is passed from Mother to first daughter and worn as a symbol of friendship and as a wedding ring. When it is worn with
the heart nearest the finger nail on the right hand it indicates the wearer is single and suitors are open to consideration. Placed the same way on the left hand indicated that although the wearer
was still single she had an occupied heart. Lastly when the ring
was worn with the crown nearest the finger nail on the left hand
side the wearer was married!
Language of Flowers:
Faithfulness: Blue Violet
Love: Red Rose/ Furze (love all seasons)
Honour & Glory: Laurel
Hope: Hawthorn
Joy: Wood Sorrel
Friendship: Ivy
Magical Beliefs!
There are many magical beliefs in Ireland. Many are still observed.
Here are some you might find interestingâŚ
Country people when selling an item they would carry a borrowed
item/article made of metal; others tied a knot in the end of a tail
of a horse they might wish to sell. Buyers placed a handful of earth
on the back of any animals they purchased to ensure they had âluck
of the beastâ Sellers still give a pound or 2 in luck money back
to the buyer of the animal at the fair to ensure goodluckâŚ
Fairs were often used by match makers who kept their eyes open for
likely marriage partners for their unmarried friends or neighbours!