How to Wear a Claddagh Ring
Claddagh rings are a type of Irish jewelry that depicts two hands holding a heart with a crown on top it. All of these symbols have great meaning. Therefore, some couples decide to exchange these instead of traditional wedding bands.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Learn what the symbols on the ring stand for. For instance, the heart means love, the hands signify friendship and the crown reflects loyalty.
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2
Understand that the way you wear the ring sends a message about your relationship status.
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3
Show that your heart is open or available by wearing the ring on your right hand with the hearts facing outward, or toward your fingernail.
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4
Wear the ring on your right hand as a sign of friendship prior to the wedding, with the heart facing inward toward your wrist. This shows that your heart is taken.
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5
Switch the ring onto your left ring finger during the wedding ceremony, to show that two hearts have been joined forever. Be sure that the hearts again face inward.
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6
Shop around for a ring you like. Although plain gold is a popular choice, you can also find the ring in silver and/or decorated with gemstones.
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7
Visit antique dealers and thrift shops if you want to look for a ring that has some history to it.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Have your wedding date and names engraved inside the ring band.
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Comments
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thank you for the tip. I was wearing my ring all along the right way, then I switched it, then found out I had it right the first time. Poor knuckle!
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sunshineandrose
Mar 08, 2009
Thanks for the tips. I was confused about how ti wear the ring. -
sunshineandrose
Mar 08, 2009
Thanks for the tips. I was confused about how ti wear the ring.
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goodselfme
Feb 17, 2009
Well explained for another Irish lady. Thank you!
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shadowcutter
Jan 15, 2009
when I did research on this several years ago I read that right hand with crown facing towards you (heart toward fingernail) means single/unattached; right hand with crown towards fingernail means "considering love"; left hand with heart towards fingernail means engaged; and left hand with crown towards fingernail means married. since then I haven't seen the reference to the "engaged" position anywhere, so I'm getting a little confused about how that really should work. Did the tradition lose the "engaged" position, and did that change the "considering love" position (which I took to mean "in a relationship")? also I read back then that traditionally a Claddagh is supposed to be given as a gift and never purchased for yourself. Is that still the case and if so, can you buy a replacement ring for yourself if you lost the Claddagh you were given? or do you have to be given a new one?
