The Claddagh Ring


Do you have an item that you feel incomplete without? An item that you just cannot leave the house without having on you, aside from your phone because let’s be real that never leaves any of our sides. For me that one item is my Claddagh ring. Putting this antique and meaningful gem on has become just as much apart of my daily routine as doing my makeup and hair, brushing my teeth, etc. Alarm beeping in the morning, I’ll flop my arm over to my night stand, grab it, and put it on. This Claddagh ring is a daily essential. 

This ring holds a great amount of meaning to me for so many reasons; varying from tradition to family. Coming from a very Irish family, I was bound to get a Claddagh ring at some point. It was just one of those inevitable things that comes along with strong roots. Over this past winter break is when I received my ring. On a random visit with my grandparents, my Nana asked me to follow her into her room. Upon entering she scurried over to her jewelry box where she pulled out a little white box. Opening the box unveiled a Claddagh ring. 

She affectionately recounted when my Dziadziu gifted her the ring in the very early years of their relationship. He took her into a local jeweler with the promise of a future together. Day-in and day-out she would wear this ring until they were wed when it was then retired to that little white box. Through living life and time, this ring lost its symmetry, but did not lose it’s meaning. 

The Meaning: 
This ring is made of three elements; two hands clasping a heart surmounted by a crown. The heart represents love; the hands, friendship; and the crown, loyalty. These three elements equate to three essential elements in a quality life. 

The way a Claddagh ring is worn also holds meaning. 
-When worn on the right hand ring finger with the heart facing outward away from the heart, the ring-wearer is not in a serious relationship. “Their heart is open.” 
-If the ring is on that same finger with the heart facing inward, that person is in a relationship. “Someone has captured their heart.” 
-Worn on the left hand ring finger facing outward indicates that individual is engaged. 
-On that same finger facing inward conveys that the wearer is married. 

As you can see, this ring is certainly a sentimental object based on personal importance and cultural. When concluding the story, my Nana placed the Claddagh ring in my hand and requested that I wear it and eventually pass it down. Since family means a tremendous amount to me, I truly cherish moments like these. To my Nana, thank you for this ring. It is one of my dearest possessions that I can't go a day without wearing. 

Is there an item you can’t leave the house without?

~Moll

11 comments

  1. cool post:)
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  2. I really love this post. Such a beautiful history and meaning in a beautiful ring.

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  3. what a beautiful ring! I have my daily bling too and I have a few rings my mum gave me and told me to pass to my daughter one day :)
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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  4. Wow that is so interesting. I love how the ring holds a different meaning depending on where it's worn, what a lovely tradition!

    Sophie @ sophiesnotebook.com

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  5. This is lovely. I was talking to someone about this the other day and I had no idea of the meanings behind the ring and how you wear it. I think it's really interesting :) x

    Abi | abistreetx

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  6. I LOVE the Cladagh ring, it's my most special piece of jewellery.
    I got a new one with my birthstone for my birthday last month as my one of 7 years sadly got damaged last year.

    Sarah xo // See The Stars

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  8. It's amazing ! :D

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  9. Loved to read about your story :D So interesting! I love celtic and irish culture so I have to love that ring and its meaning (eventhough I'm 100% portuguese). For me, it is one neckace :D
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    EVENING BREEZE

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