Irish Promise Ring

The Claddagh is the most noted Irish promise ring.  The genesis of this token of love began with a gentleman named Richard Joyce, who presented it as a token of his love to a young lady after he had spent some years in captivity; the result of an abduction and forced slavery.  As good things often bloom from seemingly bad circumstances, Joyce was purported to have learned his craft while in slavery, from a Moorish goldsmith.  His love, as any good story goes, waited for his return and he presented it to her- the first Claddagh ring.  The ring has since that time gained worldwide acknowledgement as a symbol of love and friendship.

The ring is often worn as a promise ring.  As the tradition goes, by wearing the ring on your right hand with the heart pointing to your heart, you are signifying that you are taken.  When the ring is placed upon the left hand, like a traditional wedding ring, it signifies that you are committed to each other or married. 

The romantic legend adds to the symbolic gesture that the ring represents, and is a wonderful message of the sentiment of this Irish promise ring, that many people hold dear today.  And if you happen to be Irish, then this promise ring will hold added significance as a tie to the heritage and history of Ireland.