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

See Examples For:

claddagh

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

Her hand flutters to her clavicle, to the silver chain around her neck, the claddagh charm—those tiny hands clasping a crowned heart: love, loyalty, friendship—a never-ending path that leads away from home and circles back.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

I touch the chain around my neck, following it with my finger down to the claddagh.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline