From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The Claddagh Ring is a famous friendship ring originating from the Claddagh village located just outside the old walls of Galway city. The Claddagh design, an original symbol of the "Fisher Kings" of the Galway town of Claddagh, Ireland, was first fashioned into the traditional ring in the 17th Century during the reign of Mary II.
Significance
The ring's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of friendship (the hands), loyalty (the crown) and love (the heart) that are said to combine in a good marriage.
The way that a claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey some indication of the wearer's romantic availability. It is generally true that if the ring is on the right hand with the crown facing the base of the finger, the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship. A ring worn on the right hand with the crown facing away from the base of the finger then indicates someone in a serious relationship. According to some, a claddagh worn on the left hand in either orientation indicates that the wearer is married: others, however, distinguish between engagement and marriage (crown towards the base of the finger indicates being engaged; crown away from the base indicates marriage).
Origin
There are many different stories that try to explain the origin of the ring.
One story is about Margareth Joyce, a woman of the Joyce clan. She married a Spanish merchant, called Domingo de Rona. She went with him to Spain, but he died and left her a lot of money, she returned to Ireland and in 1596, married Oliver Ogffrench, the mayor of Galway. with the money she inherited from her first marriage, she funded the construction of bridges of Connacht. All this out of charity, so one day an eagle dropped the Claddagh ring into her lap, as a reward.
Another story tells of a Prince who fell in love with a common maid. To convince her father his feelings were genuine and he had no intentions of using the girl, so to speak. He designed a ring with hands representing friendship, a crown representing devotion, and a heart representing love. He proposed to the maid with this ring and after the father was explained about the significance of the symbolism of the ring, he gave his blessing.
A more historically correct story about the origin of the ring, tells about a man called Richard Joyce, another member of the Joyce-clan and a native of Galway. He left his town to work in the West-Indies, however his ship was captured by pirates and he was sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. In Algiers, with his new master, he was trained in his craft. When William III became king, he demanded the release of all British from the Moors. As a result, Richard Joyce was set free. The goldsmith offered Joyce his daughter and half his wealth if Joyce stayed, but he returned home, where he started his own goldsmith shop. He brought with him the idea of the ring.
Historical details
The Irish Famine of 1847-1849 caused many to emigrate from Ireland, and the Claddagh ring spread along with the emigrants to the United States and elsewhere. These rings are often considered heirlooms, and passed on from mother to daughter as well as between friends and lovers.
Popular Culture
In Popular Culture, the Claddagh Ring has appeared on Buffy the Vampire Slayer where the title character Buffy Summers is given the ring by her vampire lover Angel, a native of Ireland.
References
- "Claddagh ring" The Concise Oxford Dictionary. Ed. Judy Pearsall. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University
- Press. University of Phoenix /Apollo. 6 August 2004
