How to Wear Claddagh Rings - the traditional Irish Wedding Bands
If you are not
in Ireland, then you may be wondering how to wear Claddagh rings, the most
famous of Irish wedding bands. Well, first the basics. The people of ancient
times thought that the ring finger or the third finger (the thumb is not
considered a finger), had within it a vein that connected directly to the
heart. This was in the Latin called “vena amoris” or the vein of love. This is
thought to be why those in love currently wear Irish Claddagh rings, Irish
wedding bands and other tokens of love on the third finger. So, to know how to
wear Claddagh Rings, first you need to know if it is for love.
The direction in
which the heart of the Irish Claddagh ring faces indicates the status of your
current relationship, if any. If you are single, and want others to know that
you are available, then wear the Claddagh ring on your right hand with the heart
facing outward toward your finger tip. To show that you are engaged, or have
given your heart to another, Claddagh Rings should be worn with the heart facing
toward your heart (or the wrist). Now, how to wear Claddagh rings when you are
married? Commonly, during the traditional Irish wedding ceremony, the ring is
taken from the left hand, and placed on the ring finger of the right hand with
the heart of the Claddagh ring facing the heart (or wrist) of the wearer.
How to wear Claddagh Rings
-Put your Irish wedding band on last !
Lastly, if you
are wearing an Irish Claddagh engagement ring as well as any type of Irish
wedding bands, then which ring to place on your finger first is a matter of
preference. It is a general custom to wear rings in the order in which you
receive them, thus the Claddagh engagement ring would be placed on your finger
before the Irish wedding band. This also makes sense in that this will keep the
more expensive of the Claddagh rings in a safer place, higher upon your finger.
While the choice in how to wear Claddagh rings is up to you, it is wise to let
history and common sense be your guide.
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