A sure sign of a Celtic girl, she is wearing a Claddagh ring. Depending on how it’s worn, it can mean she is single, taken, engaged, or married. But did you know besides the Claddagh, there are many other Celtic wedding bands and rings to choose from?
The Celtic Croft offers 10k and 14k gold and sterling silver Celtic wedding rings and bands to not only make your wedding extraordinary but your marriage. Add history, ancestry, and Celtic pride into your life commitment!
Wedding Ring History
Do you know how long wedding rings have been around? The first recorded history of wedding rings dates back to the 1400s. Evidence suggests even as far back as ancient Rome and ancient Greece, rings were used.
According to Irish Culture and Traditions, Celtic engagement rings made their first known appearance over 300 years ago in the fishing village of Claddagh. And, of course, there are Irish legends. One such tale features a soaring eagle dropping the Claddagh into the lap of a widow.
In Celtic history, marriages were seen as an equal contract between the husband and wife, while other cultures viewed wives as husbands’ property. The wedding ring was a symbol of these contracts.
Mothers often passed their wedding rings down to their daughters. And at times, they were a part of the daughters’ dowry.
Claddagh Ring – How to Wear
The Claddagh ring (or Hands and Heart ring or Clasped Hand ring) is the most recognizable of the Irish wedding rings.
The meaning behind it makes for a treasured wedding ring. The Claddagh has three parts; the heart, the crown, and the hands. These three represent love, loyalty, and friendship.
Now, how does one wear it? If single and open to love, place on your right ring finger, heart facing out. If taken or engaged, wear on the same finger but turn the ring heart towards your own. And once married, switch to your left ring finger, facing inwards.
Do Not Feel Left Out and TIL (Today I Learned)
Celts also believed wedding rings would ward off evil spirits. Originally, men wore their Celtic wedding bands on the right while women wore them on the left hand.
Ever wonder why wedding rings are on the left ring (or fourth) finger? Some say this tradition traced back to ancient Egypt. The vena amoris, known as the vein of love, runs from the heart to the top of the fourth finger on the left hand.
Celtic Throughout the World
The Celtic culture has spread worldwide. The six Celtic nations include Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, and the Isle of Man. Many people refer to themselves by their ancestors’ culture (Irish American, for example).
The Celtic culture is strong and is evident in many weddings. There are many ways to infuse your day with Celtic traditions, from handfasting to wedding kilts to Celtic wedding bands.
All Knotted Up
Now that you know about the Claddagh ring, what about the Celtic knot?
Many of our Celtic wedding bands feature this knot design. In Celtic traditions, thinking is circular, not linear. Life has no finite start or finite finish, but rather birth, life, death, and rebirth. Cue the Circle of Life music!
The Celtic knot designs date back to the 7th century in Gaul and Italy. One of the most famous and beautiful displays of Celtic knots can be found in the Book of Kells, housed at Trinity College in Dublin. The varying Celtic knots interlaced into squares (the shield knot), circles, hearts, or trees.
The Celtic knot is endless, with no beginning and no end. This infinite thinking matches the promises on their wedding day, an unbreakable vow.
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The Bells are Ringing and Other Celtic Wedding Traditions
Wedding bells are not uniquely Celtic, but the Celts had a good reason for ringing in a wedding. The bells were thought to shoo away any evil spirits that may be lurking around. As Irish Central explains, many ceremonies include small bells as favors for the guests.
On their wedding day, brides often carried a horseshoe for luck in the marriage. Today, many brides tuck a small porcelain horseshoe into their wedding bouquet. Much more practical!
As mentioned, handfasting or tying the knot has regained popularity. Read up in more detail here.
A blue wedding dress may seem shocking to some, but it was the color of choice for many Celts. Just as white symbolizes virginity and purity, blue was thought of the same. Perhaps because it would have been rare to find natural blue dyes?
Are you interested in more than just Celtic bands and rings? Check out the other stunning Celtic jewelry pieces we offer.
Going to the Chapel and Gonna Get Married With Celtic Wedding Bands
The big day has arrived! Everything is checked off on your list. Whether you go all out Celtic with your clothing, decor, gifts, ceremony, and rings or add in one Celtic element, Celtic Croft is here to help guide you, though!
Wishing you love and laughter and happily ever after on your Celtic-influenced special day!
