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Is it ok for an Irish man to give his girlfriend a caladah ring as a promise ring?
Tammy’s cousin asked:
When I was dating my husband, we went into an Irish import store. The lady in there told us that when an Irish man gives his girlfriend a caladah ring it means they are engaged. In our case I am the Irish one, so it was just a “promise ring”
When I was dating my husband, we went into an Irish import store. The lady in there told us that when an Irish man gives his girlfriend a caladah ring it means they are engaged. In our case I am the Irish one, so it was just a “promise ring”
My son wants to give his girlfriend a caladah ring as a promise ring. We are wondering what the actual tradition is.
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6. October 2008 at 10:28 am :
Yes. but it’s “Claddagh”. The Claddagh is a symbol of Love, Friendship and loyalty, so it’s perfectly fine for a promise ring.
The ring worn on the right hand, crown turned inward tells your heart is yet unoccupied, worn with the crown turned outwards reveals love is being considered. Worn on the left hand the crown turned outward shows all, your heart is truly spoken for.
6. October 2008 at 10:22 pm :
I don’t see why your son couldn’t carry on YOUR tradition by giving his girlfriend a “promise ring”. The hand you wear the claddagh ring on & the direction of the crown mean different things. For the full history & correct wearing please see:
7. October 2008 at 7:11 am :
Of course it is. It is a symbol of his love. She should wear it heart facing her to show that her heart is spoken for. I think it is a wonderful idea.
8. October 2008 at 9:15 pm :
The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring, given in friendship or worn as a wedding ring.
The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: “Let love and friendship reign.”
The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer’s romantic availability, or lack thereof. Traditionally, if the ring is on the right hand with the design facing outward and away from the body, this indicates that the person wearing the ring is not in any serious relationship, and may in fact be single and looking for a relationship. When worn on the right hand but with the design facing inward toward the body, this indicates the person wearing the ring is in a relationship, or that “someone has captured their heart”. A Claddagh worn on the left hand ring finger, facing outward away from the body, generally indicates that the wearer is engaged. When the ring is on the left hand ring finger and facing inward toward the body, it generally means that the person wearing the ring is married.
11. October 2008 at 5:39 am :
In Ireland, this is not true. Lots of people have claddagh rings just because it’s a nice design. If your boyfriend gives you one, it doesn’t mean you’re engaged unless you actually wanted your engagement ring to be of this design. If your son wants to give the ring specifically as a promise ring, then that’s fine. Just like any other ring, it only has a meaning if you give it a meaning.