Claddagh

The Claddagh is a traditional Irish ring whose design embodies three concepts: love (heart), loyalty (crown), and friendship (two hands). It originated in the Claddagh, a historic fishing village on the outskirts of Galway, Ireland, in the 17th or early 18th century. The most common attribution credits Richard Joyce, a Galway goldsmith, who is said to have crafted the first ring after returning from foreign captivity and designed it to symbolize the values he hoped to share with his future spouse. The heart, crown, and hands have since become a recognizable emblem of Irish jewelry and identity. The ring is frequently used as a token of engagement or wedding and is also worn as a symbol of friendship or family heritage. It is commonly produced in gold (yellow, white, or rose), silver, and other metals, and its design has been adapted into other forms such as pendants and earrings.

Traditionally, a Claddagh ring may be worn on the left hand to indicate a relationship, with variations in direction of the heart indicating status; however, regional and personal customs vary and there is no single standard interpretation. In modern times, the Claddagh remains popular worldwide, cherished as a cultural emblem of Ireland and as a durable heirloom that travels with the wearer through life.