Examining The Irish Ring Claddagh Meaning

Centuries ago lovers in Ireland often wore a finger ornament with a special image. In that image two hands held a heart. A crown or a fleur de lis had been placed over that heart. That strange symbol served as evidence of devotion to a loved one.

Today, those who wear an ornament with a similar image should know something about its Irish ring claddagh meaning. That meaning is best conveyed in the phrase that has been linked to that one pair of hands.

This is that phrase: “Let love and friendship reign.” The mention of a reign hints at the nature of the period when brave men wore that claddagh ring. Meaning was then conveyed largely through images. At that time, the written word was shared with others in the form of a letter or a scroll. During that long ago period there were no books.

Still, young people did fall in love, and young men did go off to fight in battles. By wearing the Irish claddagh ring those men could show the measure of their devotion to a special female.

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Today, of course the country of Ireland no longer has knights riding across the land. No longer does a young damsel stare out of the window, looking for the man who has promised to take her as a partner in life.  That damsel took solace in the thought that her lover was familiar with the phrase “Let love and friendship reign.” She counted on the prevailing emphasis on honor to insure her man’s willingness to live up to that saying. Because men could not impress a female by driving a great car or heading up a popular band or becoming a noted sports star, they had to demonstrate their honor. One special finger ornament helped them to do that. Like a reminder, it helped to insure a man’s demonstration of devotion to a member of the opposite sex.