The Claddagh

Girls from all over the world flock to the tourist and gifts shops of Ireland to buy their copies of the Claddagh Ring. The ring, which represents friendship, love, and loyalty through two hands (friendship) holding a heart (love) that wears a crown (loyalty), is one of the major items in stock for any tourist shop in Ireland, especially the ones near Claddagh, Co. Galway.

Funny enough, if any of these tourist took some time to talk to a local or a decendent of the Irish Diaspora about the Claddagh they might be more wary about their purchase.

The story goes that a man from Claddagh made the first  ring to give to his love when he left their town. He gave it to her as a symbol of their love.

Now, depending on where and how a woman wears the ring she discloses the status of her heart. Worn on the right middle finger with the heart pointed inwards, the lady indicates that her heart in unavailable. Worn on the same finger with the heart pointed out, she indicates that love is a possibility. Worn on the ring finger of her left hand, she indicates that her heart is taken (and that she is most likely engaged or married).

It is a very nice thought, and even I was enchancted by the romantic stories and considered buying one, until I heard that to purchase the Claddagh Ring for oneself is considered bad luck in love. The only way to really recieve the ring is either from a first love or from a elder female member of your family.

All these girls head to the tourist shops to  buy into the romance of Ireland, and the venders never mention the implications of buying the Claddagh Ring.