claddagh

American  

[klah-duh] / ˈklɑ də /

noun

1. a ring in the form of two hands clasping a crowned heart, given in friendship or love.

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Etymology

Origin of claddagh

First recorded in 1880–85; named after Claddagh, a fishing village near Galway, Ireland, where the ring was supposedly first designed and made

Explanation

A claddagh is a traditional Irish symbol representing love, loyalty, and friendship. The design of a claddagh consists of two hands holding a crowned heart. The heart of the claddagh represents love; the crown represent loyalty; and the hands represent friendship. The design is most commonly seen in jewelry, especially rings used to represent romantic relationships. The way a person wears the ring — including on which hand and finger and in what direction (inward or outward) the heart is facing — indicates the person's relationship status. The claddagh design comes from an old fishing village, Claddagh, just outside of Galway. It dates back to the 1600s.

Example Sentences

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Auctioneer Bob Sheehan reaches for a silver skull ring, which is on display next to a diamond claddagh ring,.

From The Guardian • Jun. 26, 2016

The day’s highest bidding item, a 14k diamond claddagh ring, went to real estate developer Colm Dunphy, 52, from Co.

From The Guardian • Jun. 26, 2016

Then he tells Neil about the claddagh rings they got in Ireland and Neil shrugs, “That’s nice. Want to look at some real rings, chucklehead?”

From Time • Jul. 28, 2015

In the bottom of the box was the claddagh cross.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

The day Dutchy leaves for Fort Snelling in Hennepin County for basic training, I take the claddagh off the chain around my neck and wrap it in a piece of felt.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline