Since I was young, the claddagh ring has fascinated me. Its symbolism is pretty apparent to me and always was. There are several interpretations, but they essentially mean the same thing. One goes: “The hands are there for friendship, the heart is there for love. For loyalty throughout the year, the crown is raised above.” The other…which I just found and like a lot more…. goes: “With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love.'”
From these statements one can guess that this ring is traditionally given as an engagement or a wedding ring. It may also be given as a token of friendship. The way the person wears it is indicative of there romantic availability (assuming they know the symbolism of how to wear it). And again we have two slightly varying systems. The first says that “in friendship: on the right hand, with the point of the heart towards the fingertip. engagement: on the right hand, with heart pointing to the wrist. marriage: on the left hand, with heart pointing to the wrist.” The second- and again my preferred version- says “The ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward to show that the wearer is not romantically linked but is looking for love. When turned inwards, it is shown that the wearer is in a relationship, or their heart has been "captured"…The ring worn on the left hand with the heart facing outward shows the wearer is engaged; turned inward indicates the wearer is married.”
I have had a claddagh for several years. Not long after my last SO and I got together, I was shopping online and found the ring. I asked him to buy it for me, so he did. I am not even sure if he realized how much the symbolism of this ring means to me. I wore it for most of the time we were together, but stopped wearing it for a while after we split. After a few months, I put it back on. To be honest, I am always in search of love. Not necessarily romantic love, but that connection with another human being that goes deep. I have so many friends who do love me dearly and I love each of them to the depths of my soul. I am the luckiest woman alive in so many ways.
Two days ago, I finally turned my claddagh around to face towards my wrist on my right hand. My heart belongs to my best friend. He’s not in a position to return my feeling, but that is getting better. I actually suspect he does return my feelings to an extent but cannot act upon that. Either way, I know he cares and that I am important to him. And I know I would walk through the fires of Hades to be with him.
In two weeks or less he will be in a far away land, but doing the job he loves. He will be getting his life back on track, and I am whole heartedly behind that. Though said heart will be hurting, I can endure this as long as there is a chance we can try to build something together in time. If that turns out to not be our fates, then I have a wonderful friend who has helped me realize what I truly value in a life partner. As I said earlier, I am the luckiest woman alive in the ways that count and am more aware of that each day.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To read more about the claddagh, its legend and more visit the sources I used to get the quotes in this blog. One is a Wikipedia article. The other can be found here
0 comments:
Post a Comment