This article was co-authored by Nicole Wegman. Nicole Wegman is the Founder and CEO of Ring Concierge, a New York City-based fine jewelry brand. Specializing in engagement ring and wedding band trends, Ring Concierge creates a luxury experience catered towards millennials. Ring Concierge offers engagement rings along with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Nicole's work and Ring Concierge have been featured in Vogue, Glamour, Who What Wear, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, and Cosmopolitan. Nicole is a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Accredited Jewelry Professional and holds a BS in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University.
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The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish jewelry item composed of a pair of hands, which symbolize friendship; a heart, which symbolizes love; and a crown, which symbolizes loyalty. It is often worn as a wedding ring or more casually as a piece of eye-catching jewelry. Learn how to wear a Claddagh ring, whether you choose to imbue it with romantic meaning or display it in a less traditional fashion.
Steps
Wear a Ring Before Marriage
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1Wear the ring on the ring finger of your right hand. Before you get married, the ring should be worn on your right hand, rather than your left. Wearing it on your ring finger shows that you're romantically inclined, but have not yet found the person you are going to marry.
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2Wear the ring with the heart facing out to show that you're single. The heart should point toward the end of your finger, rather than into the center of your hand, and the crown should point inward.[1] This shows the world that you're open to finding love, and that your heart is available to give to another person.Advertisement
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3Wear the ring with the heart facing in to show that you're dating. When you've found someone special and made a commitment to date them, turn the ring around so that the heart points toward the center of your hand. This shows that your heart is currently unavailable. Leave the ring on your right ring finger, though, since you are still unmarried.[2]
Wear a Ring After Engagement
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1Wear the ring on the ring finger of your left hand. Wearing a ring on this finger is a traditional symbol of engagement or marriage in many cultures, and Irish culture adopts this as well. When you wear a Claddagh on your left ring finger, it's a sign that you've found the one you'll be spending the rest of your life with.[3]
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2Wear the ring with the heart facing out to show that you're engaged. Before you say your vows, you can use the ring as an engagement ring. Facing the heart out shows that you're committed, but you still haven't tied the knot.[4]
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3Wear the ring with the heart facing in to show that you're married. Many Irish people wear the Claddagh ring as a wedding ring. The heart faces in to show that you are in a permanent relationship and that your heart has been captured. The ring is reversed during the wedding ceremony.[5]
Find Your Own Meaning
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1Wear the ring to display your heritage. Many Irish people wear Claddagh rings as a symbol of their Irish heritage, rather than as a way to display their romantic status. Claddagh rings may be worn on any finger and may be turned in either direction, whichever is most comfortable for the person wearing the ring. They don't have to be worn to indicate a romantic status, and can be worn on the left ring finger without a relationship or engagement or a marriage.
- Some people wear Claddagh rings on necklace chains, rather than on their fingers.
- Claddagh rings may also be worn on bracelets, or kept in the pocket as a charm.
- Having the right ring size will prevent your ring from spinning.
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2Wear the ring to remember someone special. Claddagh rings make meaningful gifts for friends and relatives, whether or not romance is involved in the equation. If you received a Claddagh ring as a gift and would prefer not to wear it to show your romantic status, it's just fine to wear it however you choose.
Community Q&A
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QuestionI was given a claddagh ring by someone I have been dating for several months, but with no question of pending marriage. Which finger do I wear it on?
Community AnswerWear the ring on your right hand, but with the heart facing toward your body. This indicates that you are in a relationship but not yet married. -
QuestionMy mom's funeral is coming up, and I want to wear her ring, but her hands were so tiny that it does not fit. What can I do?Community AnswerTake it to a jeweler to have it resized. It might cost a bit, but well worth it. If there's not enough time for that, you could put the ring on a chain, and wear it as a necklace or a bracelet.
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QuestionDoes it have to be worn on the ring finger?Community AnswerNot necessarily. If you want to "show off" your relationship status, then yes. Otherwise, if you are just wearing it because of heritage or someone special gave it to you, you can put it on whatever finger you please.
References
- ↑ https://www.claddaghdesign.com/history/origin-irish-claddagh-ring/
- ↑ https://web.asu.edu/newblog/history-claddagh-ring-8-surprising-facts-you-didnt-know%20
- ↑ https://web.asu.edu/newblog/history-claddagh-ring-8-surprising-facts-you-didnt-know%20
- ↑ https://web.asu.edu/newblog/history-claddagh-ring-8-surprising-facts-you-didnt-know%20
- ↑ https://web.asu.edu/newblog/history-claddagh-ring-8-surprising-facts-you-didnt-know%20
- http://www.claddaghring.com/How-to-wear-claddagh-rings-a/122.htm
About This Article
To wear a claddagh ring if you’re dating someone, put it on the ring finger of your right hand with the heart pointing toward the center of your hand. Alternatively, point the heart toward the end of your finger if you’re not currently in a relationship, but are open to the idea. You can also use a claddagh ring as an engagement ring by wearing it on your left hand, with the heart pointing toward the end of your finger. Once you’re married, turn the ring around and wear it with the heart pointing toward the center of your hand. To learn how to wear a claddagh ring to signify something other than your relationship status, scroll down!
