"Let
love and friendship reign."
"With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love."
The
Irish Claddagh depict two hands holding a heart.
The hands denote friendship and togetherness, and the heart itself
signifies love.
The crown above the heart stands for loyalty.
The ornaments that encompass the vows
holds symbols of luck, love, and blissful energy.
Counterclockwise:
The Chamsa symbol for good luck
Fishes symbol for happiness, sacredness, fertility.
The peace dove
Fruitful Vine
CHAI
and the energy source of all living,
the SUN.
~~~~~~~~~
The
Claddagh History
The
Claddagh ring/symbol has a rich ancient past that dates back to
over 300 years.
The Claddagh ring is deeply rooted from Irish tradition.
There are two stories told that are believed to be the first apperances
of the Claddagh Irish ring.
The
First story
A native of Galway (Ireland) named Robert Joyce left his hometown
for distant ports. He sailed on a ship bound for the West Indies.
He was captured by the Algerians, who kidnapped Joyce, and sold
him into slavery. He was taken to a goldsmith’s shop, and forced
to work there, far away from the woman he loved.
Joyce never forgot the Irish woman who owned his heart, and he created
the first Claddagh ring as a romantic symbol of their love.
His loyalty and commitment to her were illustrated by the charming
motifs he chose for the legendary Claddagh ring. Two hands,
gently clasping a crowned heart, were wrought from pure
gold, and they symbolized the sacred nature of romantic love and
faithfulness. Joyce dreamed of returning to Galway and embracing
his love.
honing his skills as the Moorish goldsmith’s assistant, King William
III ordered the release of all slaves in 1689. Joyce gained his
freedom at last.
Despite the pleas of king William III, who offered him all manner
of worldly goods,
and even his own daughter as a bride, if only Joyce would stay on
and work for him,
Joyce was resolute. He would return to his own true love, and make
a life with her.
Upon his return, Joyce's loyalty was rewarded. Margaret, the woman
he loved so much, was there waiting for him, just as he had waited
for her. And the couple lived out their life together. She wore
her Claddagh ring until the end of her days.
The
Second story
Margaret Joyce inherited a huge amount of money from her late husband
named Domingo de Rona. He was a wealthy Spanish merchant trading
with Galway in Ireland. She later married the Mayor of Galway in
1596 and used her inherited wealth to construct many bridges in
Connacht. The first Cladagh ring was supposed to be her reward and
was dropped by an eagle into her lap.
~~~~~~~~~
It
does not matter which story you believe in, or if you believe in
neither, because everyone agrees that the Claddagh ring and symbol
has a history and precious meaning that is significant to this day.
~~~~~~~~~
It
is the blissful meaning of the Claddagh that makes it an ideal choice
for all occassions such as weddings, birth stone rings, engagement
rings, Mother's Day and for just about any other special occasion.
The deep and true meaning of the Irish Claddagh rings has also put
them into a group of rings referred to as the faith rings.
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