If you have been gifted a Claddagh ring by your lover or friend and you cannot wait to wear it everywhere, you also are looking for more information online about the ring because you wouldn’t want to end up wearing such a stunning ring incorrectly.
And so, you find yourself here, unsure of how to wear your ring but willing to learn. Well, you are in the right place, so keep reading.
Claddagh Ring Meaning
Claddagh rings are uniquely designed with two hands clasping a heart, surmounted by a crown. The elements of these rings represent the qualities of love, friendship, and loyalty corresponding to the heart, the clasped hands, and the crown, respectively.
The Claddagh ring is also referred to as the fede or the Fenian Claddagh ring, which is a classic ring design that boasts a rich history dating as far back as ancient Roman times.
The rings, particularly the fede ring, got its name from the Italian word, Fede, which translates loosely in Italian to hands that are joined by faith or loyalty.
Since the inception of the ring, it has been viewed as a promise ring for engagements and weddings, but also an important symbol of friendship with roots in Medieval and Renaissance Europe.
But unlike the Fede rings, the Claddagh rings are more rooted in the Irish traditions. The ring’s meaning has remained unchanged for years, representing love, friendship, and loyalty, which means that the ring is one of the most important pieces of jewelry that could be gifted to you.
Can you wear a Claddagh ring on any finger?
Yes, you could wear the Claddagh ring on any of your fingers, with the symbols on the ring facing any direction. Note that the finger you wear your ring must meet just one condition – it should fit comfortably.
For most people, the ring is worn on any finger because it is not often worn to represent or mark an individual’s romantic status. So, you could wear it on your left ring finger, even when you’re single, and the best part is that thanks to its design, it will not raise questions.
What finger do you wear a Claddagh ring on?
While there are no hard or fast rules regarding the Claddagh rings and the finger that you wear your ring on, there are some guidelines on the same, especially if you are Irish.
So, as decorative as the ring is, and although you could wear it as a friendship ring, there are some simple guidelines for the finger that the ring goes on, depending on your marital status and belief system.
If you are single, the Irish traditions require that you wear the Claddagh ring on your right hand, but you are not limited in terms of the finger on which you can wear your ring.
If you are engaged, you could wear your ring on your ring finger, on your left hand, with the Claddagh symbol facing away from the body.
And if you are married, you also wear your ring on your ring finger, on your left hand, but with the heart facing inwards, towards the body.
Wearing the Claddagh ring with the Claddagh symbol facing outwards symbolizes that the person wearing the ring is open to love, or rather their heart remains open.
And for rings whose heart symbol faces inwards, it means that another has captured the ring wearer’s heart. So wearing the ring with symbol facing out could also mean that the wearer is engaged.
As you can see, you can wear your ring on any finger, as long as it feels comfortable; but this changes when you are married because you’d have to wear the Claddagh ring on the finger that represents the fact that you are married – which is the left hand, ring finger or the 4th finger for most people.
Are Claddagh rings good luck?
Besides representing love, loyalty, and friendship, the Claddagh ring is also associated with other deeper meanings, including the fact that the ring brings the wearer good luck when gifted.
So, for the Claddagh ring to be a good luck ring. It must be gifted. This doesn’t mean you cannot buy yourself a Claddagh ring.
Tips for wearing a Claddagh ring for good luck
For good luck, you may want to wear the Claddagh ring to follow the simple rules above, meaning that if you are engaged or married, the heart symbol on the ring should be on your left hand, facing outward or inward respectively.
Doing this ensures that the intended meaning of the ring is attained.
If you are in a relationship or single, you’d have to wear your ring on your right hand
1. Comfort is essential
If you are wearing your Claddagh ring as a friendship ring or as just another piece of jewelry, the most important thing for you to keep in mind is the fact that the Claddagh ring may be stunning and deeply meaningful, but at the end of the day, it must offer a nice, comfortable fit.
2. Match it with the rest of your jewelry
If you are wearing the Claddagh ring, it is possible that this is not the only piece of jewelry you have on.
With this in mind, we recommend making sure that the ring complements the rest of your jewelry. And if you are going for a multiple-ring look, you may want to wear fewer pieces to avoid an overcrowded look.
This also means you can easily stack your Claddagh ring with the rest of your jewelry.
Some stacking options that work well with Claddagh rings include pairing the Claddagh ring with another simple band or a diamond solitaire ring. Make sure the rings fit well and compliment your fingers/ hands and the rest of your jewelry.
3. Simplicity always wins
While you could stack your Claddagh ring with other rings, you may want to wear the Claddagh ring on its own for that simple, elegant, minimalist look.
Conclusion
The Claddagh ring is a perfect symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship, and you could wear it on any finger if you are wearing it as another stylish piece of jewelry.
But if you are wearing it to symbolize your relationship status, then you should follow the recommendations offered above.
For more Useful Tips, read here. Or visit our homepage for more.
Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.