Claddagh Ring

Hey y'all. I hope that everyone is having a great day where ever you are reading this. This is a beautiful fall day and it was a perfect day to write and share something that is close to me and something I would pass on to my daughters.I am part Irish and I have a shamrock tattoo and my name is Irish. Shannon means "old and wise", I am wise but I am not old. I love being a bi-racial child. I have German, Scottish, and Caribbean background and I love everything about it. From the culture of everything to the food (German food being some of my favorites) and the beautiful landscapes, everything is breathtaking. But the one thing about being Irish that I love is the vast amount of lore and traditions that are still spoken and practiced today! 

But, my favorite is a piece of jewelry that doesn't really have an origin. My aunt gave me this ring when I was a senior in high school and I haven't taken it off since. My Claddagh ring is something that I hold near my heart as an Irish girl. I have always loved that is was a way to tell someone who knows the tradition if you were: single, in a relationship, engaged, or married. 

The symbol is made up of three symbols itself; the crown stands for loyalty, the heart stands for love, and the hands stand for friendship. When the ring is worn on the right hand, if the wearer is single, the tip of the heart faces the fingertip. When the wearer is in a relationship, the tip of the heart is towards the person. The Claddagh can be used as an engagement and wedding ring. If the wearer is engaged, then the ring is worn on the left hand and the tip of the heart towards the fingertip. And if this is used as a wedding ring, both the man and woman would wear their rings towards their hearts of their left hands. 

For info you can click here to the Claddagh Ring Store and learn more or click here to go to the Wiki page for more info. You can always research online and learn yourself. 

I learned soo much more by reading many books on Ireland and the culture. My favorite book for this is: Irish Pride: 101 Reason to Be Proud You're Irish. This book is great and gets to the point of many of the traditions, tales, and myths of the Emerald Isle. Click here to go to the GoodReads page for more info on the book, author, and where to buy it.

I hope everyone enjoyed this post and I will talk to y'all next week! 

     Shannon

Sources:

1: “Claddagh Ring Meaning.” Claddagh Ring Meaning - CladdaghRing.com - FREE Shipping from USA, 2017, www.claddaghring.com/How-to-wear-claddagh-rings-a/122.htm.

2: “Claddagh Ring.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Aug. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claddagh_ring.