| The History of Symbolism, Legend & Lore | | | | human spirit. Celtic jewelry is often |
| | | | embedded with many symbols that have been |
| History of Claddagh Jewelry | | | | passed down from as early as the 8th century |
| | | | B.C. |
| Claddagh jewelry is modeled after the | | | | |
| claddagh ring, which first surfaced in | | | | Each of the symbols used in celtic jewelry |
| Ireland more than 400 years ago. The claddagh | | | | have different meanings. Some were created by |
| ring has a rich history; if you aren't | | | | artisans, whereas others were created by |
| familiar already, the claddagh ring is shaped | | | | tribal members. |
| to resemble two hands grasping a heart with a | | | | |
| crown on top. Legend & lore has several | | | | Knotwork Designs |
| explanations for the creation of this unique | | | | |
| and popular pattern. | | | | Celtic knotwork designs are perhaps the most |
| | | | well known celtic symbols; crafted by |
| One legend is that a man named Richard Joyce | | | | artisans these designs are woven into rings, |
| while on a voyage to the Mediterranean was | | | | bracelets, earrings, pendants and wedding |
| captured by Armenian pirates, and spend years | | | | bands. Symbols may reflect power and unity, |
| in captivity as a result. While held captive | | | | and more commonly spiritual belief and |
| he learned the skills necessary to become an | | | | kinship among people and eternity. |
| artificer of precious metals. Joyce | | | | |
| eventually was returned to his homeland, | | | | Other common designs crafted by Celtic |
| despite protests from his owner, who had | | | | craftsmen included: |
| wished he would marry his daughter. Joyce | | | | |
| pursued a career in crafting gold and silver | | | | - Triskeles - The Triskele represented the |
| jewelry. | | | | importance of the number three, which |
| | | | symbolized the Threefold Sister Goddess |
| Many myths abound as to how Joyce came up | | | | worshiped by the Druids. |
| with the symbolism he used in his claddagh | | | | |
| jewelry, but the true origins are not known. | | | | - Spirals - This symbol was often found on |
| | | | Dolmans and gravesites; the true meaning of |
| Yet another legend follows a similar story; | | | | the symbol isn't quite known though many |
| it tells the tale of Richard, a young man who | | | | believe it represents the outer soul or |
| was kidnapped by Spanish pirates one day | | | | higher spirit forms, the idea of growth and |
| while fishing with other men in his family. | | | | expansion and higher energy. A double spiral |
| Richard and his family were sold into slavery | | | | represents equinoxes. |
| off the North Coast of Africa. Just before | | | | |
| being captured Richard had met his true love, | | | | - Animal Motifs - Animal motifs represent a |
| and lived in fear that he would never see her | | | | variety of different traditions; Birds were |
| again. Richard longed for his beloved, and | | | | thought to represent death transitions; Boars |
| each day to remember her he stole a minute | | | | symbolized masculine power; Bulls represent |
| amount of gold from the slave masters shop | | | | virility and wealth; Cats represented |
| where he worked. After years had passed he | | | | guardians; Cranes suggested punishment or |
| was able to create a ring with the gold he | | | | deception; Deer represented profound changes |
| gathered. Richard's hope was that one day, if | | | | in life; Dragons represent magic and power; |
| freed, he could present the day to his love. | | | | Eagles were linked to God; Serpents the cycle |
| One day Richard was able to return to | | | | of life, particularly when it shed its skin. |
| Ireland, and found his beloved awaiting him. | | | | |
| He offered her the claddagh ring for her | | | | - Crosses - The cross evolved in the British |
| devotion and patience. | | | | Isles, with the earliest form dating from the |
| | | | 9th century. Legend has it that St. Patrick |
| The second story regarding the origin of this | | | | created the first Celtic cross by drawing a |
| style ring and other claddagh jewelry is much | | | | circle over a traditional Latin cross. The |
| more highly regarded, because among other | | | | circle is thought to represent eternity and |
| things claddagh jewelry has come to symbolize | | | | God's love which is endless. The four arms of |
| love and devotion. | | | | the cross have been used by other cultures to |
| | | | denote the four elements and the four parts |
| Claddagh jewelry has become very popular in | | | | of man (mind, body, soul and heart). |
| Ireland over the centuries, and many of the | | | | |
| pieces fashioned after this style are often | | | | - Chevrons - These symbols, resembling |
| kept as heirlooms among family members. At | | | | arrowheads linked together, represent power. |
| the time of Joyce there was a Claddagh | | | | |
| village, which remained as a self contained | | | | The oldest and most recognized of these |
| community until about 70 years ago. Jewelry | | | | symbols is the single spiral. Growth, |
| fashioned in the claddagh style is considered | | | | expansion, cosmic energy, all of these ideas |
| part of Irish legend & lore, and remains | | | | could be represented by the single spiral. |
| an important part of Irish history. Today | | | | The tightly wound symbol has been used by |
| claddagh jewelry is worn as a symbol of Irish | | | | many other cultures since the time of the |
| heritage, friendship, unity and love among | | | | Celts. Many believe a spiral spinning in a |
| people in all cultures. | | | | counter clockwise direction is representative |
| | | | of the larger summer sun. |
| Tradition has it that if a claddagh ring is | | | | |
| worn on the right hand, with the crown turned | | | | Celtic knots are considered the most |
| inward the wearer is still searching for | | | | ornamental pattern associated with the Celtic |
| love; if the crown is worn facing outward | | | | people. Celtic knotwork patterns were |
| love is in the air. For those that wear the | | | | discovered all over Ireland in early |
| ring on the left of course, a person is said | | | | settlements and at burial grounds. The idea |
| to be spoken for. | | | | that life is never ending, and that people |
| | | | are re-born at death is incorporated into the |
| Celtic Jewelry Traditions | | | | idea of loops or knots with no beginning and |
| | | | no end. One of the more well known celtic |
| Celtic jewelry, like claddagh jewelry is rich | | | | knots is the Trinity Knot, which is actually |
| in history and tradition. The term "Celtic" | | | | a combination of Celtic and spiritual |
| typically refers to people who are | | | | heritage. |
| descendants of different provinces of western | | | | |
| Europe, who lived during the time around the | | | | Whether purchasing claddagh jewelry or celitc |
| birth of Christ. Most Celtic history, legend | | | | jewelry, you can be assured that you are |
| & lore have been passed down from | | | | investing in gems that are rich in symbolism |
| generation to generation via word of mouth, | | | | and tradition. Celtic and claddagh jewelry |
| or through artwork and symbolism. Much celtic | | | | have been around for centuries, and will |
| jewelry displays symbolism that represents | | | | continue to be popular in many cultures and |
| life, death, the change of seasons, love and | | | | regions of the world. |