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The secret of the Claddagh ring

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posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 01:48 AM
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Many of you members here might have bought or offered to someone you know a ring that you found on a market stall or in a jewelers because you either knew the symbolism of offering this ring or thought it looked good or quite simply because you saw other people who had one and wanted the same…

This one :



Having Irish origins and knowing the significance of the Claddagh ring (and proud of my celtic ancestory I am), about 14 years ago I decided to offer this ring to Mrs R, (please consider that we are not married but living in happy sin with no intention of one day signing a piece of paper just to say that we have deep love for each other and are sleeping in the same bed)!

Mrs R who is French BUT has celtic origins too (Brittany), did not know the full meaning of this ring so I explained to her the symbolism when I offered it to her (I obtained one from an Irish Goldsmith in Claddagh for both of us). She of course happily accepted...

This is the one that we both wear :



The full story of the Claddagh ring is as follows :

The meaning, significance and history of the Irish Claddagh ring has a rich ancient past that dates back to over 300 years.

The design of the Claddagh ring and even the way the ring is worn are all deeply rooted in Irish tradition.

Today, the meaning of the Claddagh ring and the significance of wearing Claddagh rings has spread far and wide. The Claddagh ring is traditionally made and worn far beyond the small fishing village in Ireland where the story apparently started.

So… what is this ring and what do Claddagh rings symbolise?

The meaning of the Claddagh ring is what gives the ring it's significance.

The hands of the ring holding the heart and the hands show friendship and togetherness, the heart itself means love and the crown in the claddagh ring signifies loyalty

The extremely deep and true meaning of the Claddagh ring has also put it into a group of rings referred to as faith rings.

Let Love and Friendhsip Reign Forever.

Story of the Claddagh ring.

The history of the Claddagh ring dates back to over 350 years in a tiny fishing village in Ireland called The Claddagh

Link here :

www.claddaghns.ie...

The word Claddagh itself comes from the Irish term 'An Cladach' that means a 'flat stony shore'.

Two theories explain the first occurence of the Claddagh Irish ring.

Theory 1 :

Margaret Joyce inherited a huge amount of money from her late husband Domingo de Rona. A rich Spanish merchant in Ireland. Later on she married the Mayor of Galway in 1596 (Oliver Og French)and and used her inherited wealth to construct many bridges in Connacht.

The first Claddagh ring was supposed to be her providential reward and was dropped by an eagle into her lap.

Personally I believe this to be a load of Beau Locks...

Theory 2…

For which I personally adhere to : A Galway man called Richard Joyce was captured by the Algerians and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith.

In the late 1600s William III of England demanded the release of all British subjects and Richard was released from slavery too. The goldsmith offered Dick (or Richard if you prefer) major portion of his wealth and also his only daughter in marriage, if he agreed to stay in Algeria.

Story says that, Richard refused the offer and made his way back to his native village with the first Claddagh ring.

An addition to this story states that before his capture he had promised marriage to a young lady from Claddagh and upon his return from captivity she was still waiting for him and thus they married using the ring as a bond...

Now... how do you wear the Claddagh ring? :

The full significance of the Claddagh ring is not just the crown, heart and hands, it extends also to the hand on which the ring is worn and direction in which the crown on the ring points.

In case of a married or engaged person Claddagh rings are worn on the left hand with the crown pointing away from the heart. For a person considering love or partenership the ring is worn on the right hand with the crown pointing away from the heart.

For a person with no interest in a relationship, the ring is worn on the right hand with the crown pointing towards the heart.

Something that Mrs R and i have also personally added to this tradition is that NEVER do we take our rings off unless really neccessary...

If however, one of us has does take our ring off, we have both decided that the other half should put the ring back on...

As i said earlier on at the beginning of this post, we are living in sin
so to speak.

We both wear our rings on the right hand with the point of the heart in direction of our own heart... the day that (AND... IF) we decide to get married, of course the ring will change hands and direction.

Hope this story was of some interest to you folks and remember, this ring can be offered to a friend or a loved one...

Kindest respects

Rodinus

Ps. Sorry if i do not follow up with all answers this wfor the next couple of days, but we are away for the weekend visiting the famous site of Rennes-le-Château in the Languedoc (remember the story of the tresure?)

Link here : www.languedocmysteries.info...
edit on 26-7-2013 by Rodinus because: Crap spelling

edit on 26-7-2013 by Rodinus because: Link added

edit on 26-7-2013 by Rodinus because: More crap spelling... i need coffee!

edit on 26-7-2013 by Rodinus because: Urgghhh



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 04:18 AM
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reply to post by Rodinus
 


lovely! Nice to see the Claddagh ring is still popular.

Me and some friends used to have great fun wearing them as teenagers, using them to show each other our relationship status


I love your version of the ring an like the idea of incorporating it into a wedding band, im engaged at the moment :-)

S+F



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 04:29 AM
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Originally posted by Lady_Tuatha
reply to post by Rodinus
 


lovely! Nice to see the Claddagh ring is still popular.

Me and some friends used to have great fun wearing them as teenagers, using them to show each other our relationship status


I love your version of the ring an like the idea of incorporating it into a wedding band, im engaged at the moment :-)

S+F


Funny in a way...

I live in France and many people wear it because they find it nice looking, it is always great to see their reaction when i tell them the story


And of course in these times of not having alot of money, what more could you ask for (engagement/wedding ring with a wonderful story all rolled into one!?

Kindest respects

Rodinus



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 06:06 AM
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My sister gave me a claddah ring 25 years ago, when we were travelling through Ireland. It meant the world to me. more than just a ring. She is my best friend, my kindred spirit.
I gave it to someone years ago along with my heart.
Hope that one day I get it back
But I dare say it is gone.


edit on 26-7-2013 by zazzafrazz because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 06:22 AM
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reply to post by Rodinus
 


Thank you for sharing about the ring. Theory 2 sounds about right and the way it should be.




please consider that we are not married but living in happy sin with no intention of one day signing a piece of paper just to say that we have deep love for each other and are sleeping in the same bed


Theres an easy work around and if done this way can not be undone. There is no need for any governments permission either. All you have to do is find a pastor or parson to marry you and record it in the family bible. There is a page for this provided in almost all bibles. Once the ceremony is preformed the pastor/parson signs the page along with you and your wife plus two witnesses. The nice part is that no court of law will touch it as it is out of there jurisdiction to do so. The government and its courts are not made a part of the marriage via a government license.

This is what my wife and I did as we are committed to each other for life and beyond. We cut out the death do us part bit. Would have loved to had ours done with Claddagh wedding rings. Also wanted Celtic knots but nothing was available.

Great post Rodinus S&F



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 07:07 AM
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Theres an easy work around and if done this way can not be undone. There is no need for any governments permission either. All you have to do is find a pastor or parson to marry you and record it in the family bible. There is a page for this provided in almost all bibles. Once the ceremony is preformed the pastor/parson signs the page along with you and your wife plus two witnesses. The nice part is that no court of law will touch it as it is out of there jurisdiction to do so. The government and its courts are not made a part of the marriage via a government license.


My pleasure


Thanks for the tip about marriage, but to be totally honest with you, neither Mrs R or myself are believers so the bible would not change anything for us.

We are in France so the laws are not the same as they would be in the USA, if one day we wanted to "officialise" our reunion for legal reasons there is a solution over here which exists called PACS (Civil solidarity pact) : A form of civil union between two adults (same-sex or opposite-sex) for organising their joint life. It brings rights and responsibilities, but less so than marriage. The PACS was voted by the French Parliament in November 1999

Link here : en.wikipedia.org...

But... we are happy as we are "Living in sin" so to speak.

Kindest respects

Rodinus



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 07:42 AM
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reply to post by Rodinus
 


No worries about the bible, it was just an option and it sounds like you have another one open for you.




We are in France so the laws are not the same as they would be in the USA


My wife and I are not in the USA, actually we are 7000 nm from the USA but for us we had the bible option.


I wish you and Mrs R the best.



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 08:33 AM
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reply to post by Rodinus
 


Thank you for this thread. I have seen this symbol before but never knew the story behind it.



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 11:12 AM
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reply to post by Rodinus
 


You bloody soppy old git Rod

Romance around here is if I do the dishes


Great thread mate


Don't forget to pick me up at the airport this time next week
I know how 'forgetful' you get when you're on ATS

Cody



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 11:42 AM
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I love history and I have actually given that ring to someone. But I knew little of the history until now!

Thanks!



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 03:48 PM
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I wear one myself, and I absolutely love the history of it. The one I wear now was purchased in Ireland, and I currently wear it in the "engaged" position (which I've heard is heart out- like "single" but on the left hand)
Really, anything to do with Ireland gives me happy little chills, it's like it's always been my home, even before I went, and I long to go back.
On a separate note, speaking of unofficial weddings, my fiancee and I are choosing to have a pagan handfasting. Although ours will have pagan elements, it's a great ceremony because it's been practiced in Celtic areas for centuries and can be tailored to fit any religion, or none at all.



posted on Jul, 26 2013 @ 05:19 PM
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Originally posted by cody599
Romance around here is if I do the dishes


Didn't I raise you better than that? Thwack on the head!

Thank you, Rodinus for an interesting thread that tugged at my romantic heartstrings.



posted on Jul, 27 2013 @ 12:45 AM
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reply to post by graceunderpressure
 


Sorry mum

Mrs C was out of the room at the time receiving the dozen roses I ordered for her
After bathing with the scented candles and having a a full body scrub with scented sugar soap followed by a massage with aromatic oils.

But that's not romantic that's just a normal day

Cody



posted on Jul, 27 2013 @ 12:50 AM
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I have one too...a real one from Ireland made of silver.

But sadly it's too big for my small toast-like hands, so I wear it on a leather cord.



posted on Jul, 27 2013 @ 05:37 AM
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reply to post by Rodinus
 



The "HEART" is a symbol of a female bending over, in other words is supposed to be modeled a a female ass!



posted on Jul, 29 2013 @ 12:54 AM
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Originally posted by panicman66
reply to post by Rodinus
 



The "HEART" is a symbol of a female bending over, in other words is supposed to be modeled a a female ass!


Thank you for contributing to this thread with such an intelligent and pertinent post.

Now, isn't it time for you to go to bed with a nice hot cup of milk before your mum catches you playing with the computer again?

Rodinus



posted on Feb, 28 2014 @ 04:09 AM
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Ewwwwe login probs...



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