The centuries old Claddagh Symbol of friendship
features the heart for love,
the crown for loyalty
and the hands for enduring friendship.

Let love and friendship reign

Featuring a heart held in two hands, crested with a crown - signifying according to popular belief, the motto 'let love and friendship reign'

Legend has it that the claddagh symbol was originated by Richard Joyce, a Galway seafarer kidnapped by the pirates and sold into slavery in North Africa where he learned the art of goldsmithing. When he was released, nothing could keep him from his beloved Galway where he returned to become a master goldsmith and where he created the Claddagh ring. For centuries this was used as a wedding ring by the fisher folk of Claddagh village, which nestled outside the walls of Galway city in the west of Ireland.

The rings were handed down from mother to daughter as both betrothal and wedding rings. The tradition of how to wear the Claddagh ring is very distinctive. If the owner of the ring wears it with the crown pointing towards the finger nail, he or she is said to be in love or married. To wear the ring with the heart pointing to the finger nail, he or she is said to be unattached to anyone.

Claddagh rings are still worn as friendship, engagement or wedding rings depending on how they are worn....

Friendship: - by placing the ring anywhere on your right hand
Engagement: - by placing the ring on third finger of your left hand with the heart pointing outwards.
Wedding - represented by wearing the ring on the third finger of your left hand with the heart pointing inwards towards your heart.