The History of Symbolism,
Legend & Lore
History of Claddagh Jewelry
Claddagh jewelry is modeled
after the claddagh ring, which
first surfaced in Ireland
more than 400 years ago. The
claddagh ring has a rich history;
if you aren't familiar already,
the claddagh ring is shaped
to resemble two hands grasping
a heart with a crown on top.
Legend & lore has several
explanations for the creation
of this unique and popular
pattern.
One legend is that a man
named Richard Joyce while
on a voyage to the Mediterranean
was captured by Armenian pirates,
and spend years in captivity
as a result. While held captive
he learned the skills necessary
to become an artificer of
precious metals. Joyce eventually
was returned to his homeland,
despite protests from his
owner, who had wished he would
marry his daughter. Joyce
pursued a career in crafting
gold and silver jewelry.
Many myths abound as to how
Joyce came up with the symbolism
he used in his claddagh jewelry,
but the true origins are not
known.
Yet another legend follows
a similar story; it tells
the tale of Richard, a young
man who was kidnapped by Spanish
pirates one day while fishing
with other men in his family.
Richard and his family were
sold into slavery off the
North Coast of Africa. Just
before being captured Richard
had met his true love, and
lived in fear that he would
never see her again. Richard
longed for his beloved, and
each day to remember her he
stole a minute amount of gold
from the slave masters shop
where he worked. After years
had passed he was able to
create a ring with the gold
he gathered. Richard's hope
was that one day, if freed,
he could present the day to
his love. One day Richard
was able to return to Ireland,
and found his beloved awaiting
him. He offered her the claddagh
ring for her devotion and
patience.
The second story regarding
the origin of this style ring
and other claddagh jewelry
is much more highly regarded,
because among other things
claddagh jewelry has come
to symbolize love and devotion.
Claddagh jewelry has become
very popular in Ireland over
the centuries, and many of
the pieces fashioned after
this style are often kept
as heirlooms among family
members. At the time of Joyce
there was a Claddagh village,
which remained as a self contained
community until about 70 years
ago. Jewelry fashioned in
the claddagh style is considered
part of Irish legend &
lore, and remains an important
part of Irish history. Today
claddagh jewelry is worn as
a symbol of Irish heritage,
friendship, unity and love
among people in all cultures.
Tradition has it that if
a claddagh ring is worn on
the right hand, with the crown
turned inward the wearer is
still searching for love;
if the crown is worn facing
outward love is in the air.
For those that wear the ring
on the left of course, a person
is said to be spoken for.
Celtic Jewelry Traditions
Celtic jewelry, like claddagh
jewelry is rich in history
and tradition. The term "Celtic"
typically refers to people
who are descendants of different
provinces of western Europe,
who lived during the time
around the birth of Christ.
Most Celtic history, legend
& lore have been passed
down from generation to generation
via word of mouth, or through
artwork and symbolism. Much
celtic jewelry displays symbolism
that represents life, death,
the change of seasons, love
and human spirit. Celtic jewelry
is often embedded with many
symbols that have been passed
down from as early as the
8th century B.C.
Each of the symbols used
in celtic jewelry have different
meanings. Some were created
by artisans, whereas others
were created by tribal members.
Knotwork Designs
Celtic knotwork designs are
perhaps the most well known
celtic symbols; crafted by
artisans these designs are
woven into rings, bracelets,
earrings, pendants and wedding
bands. Symbols may reflect
power and unity, and more
commonly spiritual belief
and kinship among people and
eternity.
Other common designs crafted
by Celtic craftsmen included:
Triskeles - The Triskele
represented the importance
of the number three, which
symbolized the Threefold Sister
Goddess worshiped by the Druids.
Spirals - This symbol was
often found on Dolmans and
gravesites; the true meaning
of the symbol isn't quite
known though many believe
it represents the outer soul
or higher spirit forms, the
idea of growth and expansion
and higher energy. A double
spiral represents equinoxes.
Animal Motifs - Animal motifs
represent a variety of different
traditions; Birds were thought
to represent death transitions;
Boars symbolized masculine
power; Bulls represent virility
and wealth; Cats represented
guardians; Cranes suggested
punishment or deception; Deer
represented profound changes
in life; Dragons represent
magic and power; Eagles were
linked to God; Serpents the
cycle of life, particularly
when it shed its skin.
Crosses - The cross evolved
in the British Isles, with
the earliest form dating from
the 9th century. Legend has
it that St. Patrick created
the first Celtic cross by
drawing a circle over a traditional
Latin cross. The circle is
thought to represent eternity
and God's love which is endless.
The four arms of the cross
have been used by other cultures
to denote the four elements
and the four parts of man
(mind, body, soul and heart).
Chevrons - These symbols,
resembling arrowheads linked
together, represent power.
The oldest and most recognized
of these symbols is the single
spiral. Growth, expansion,
cosmic energy, all of these
ideas could be represented
by the single spiral. The
tightly wound symbol has been
used by many other cultures
since the time of the Celts.
Many believe a spiral spinning
in a counter clockwise direction
is representative of the larger
summer sun.
Celtic knots are considered
the most ornamental pattern
associated with the Celtic
people. Celtic knotwork patterns
were discovered all over Ireland
in early settlements and at
burial grounds. The idea that
life is never ending, and
that people are re-born at
death is incorporated into
the idea of loops or knots
with no beginning and no end.
One of the more well known
celtic knots is the Trinity
Knot, which is actually a
combination of Celtic and
spiritual heritage.
Whether purchasing claddagh
jewelry or celitc jewelry,
you can be assured that you
are investing in gems that
are rich in symbolism and
tradition. Celtic and claddagh
jewelry have been around for
centuries, and will continue
to be popular in many cultures
and regions of the world.
