Irish wedding ring

The Claddagh ring is that traditional Irish ring. I first encountered it in Massachusetts but didn't know the whole meaning behind it. I knew that depending on which way the ring is faced (pointing away or pointing it) and that it was a promise ring but not much else.

After looking into it a bit I found out that every bit of the ring is symbolic to the views of Irish marriage. The design of the ring is two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of the heart, sometimes the heart is a jem, sometimes its just plain. The hands represent faith while the crown represents honor, and of course, the heart represents love. In Ireland the ring is supposed to symbolize the love and friendship of a marriage.

The way the ring is worn is symbolic. When the ring is on the right hand and the heart is facing away from the body, this means the woman is single. If it is worn (still on the right hand) so that the heart faces toward the body, this means that the woman is taken, or engaged. If the ring is on the left hand, then it means that the woman is married.

Living in Boston I have always been surrounded by Irish culture and have always loved it because everything seems to be so meaningful and purposely done. This is much like all of Europe as I have noticed while living there and traveling through it.