Fashion trends come and go, but if you going to wear something every day for the rest of your life, you’d better love it. Choosing a Celtic wedding ring gives you the perfect balance of traditional and unusual. A trinity knot or Claddagh wedding band isn’t going to look dated or silly in 20 years’ time. But it also says more than a simple gold wedding ring. The rich and distinctive symbolism is what sets these rings apart. You will see these designs on other Irish gifts, but on a wedding or engagement ring, they are especially moving. What would you want yours to say?
The Love Story Behind Claddagh Wedding Rings
Claddagh rings began with a love story. A Galway man was abducted while out fishing at sea, sold into servitude to a jeweler in Algiers, and learned goldsmithing. He eventually gained his freedom, and returned home to the woman he loved. He brought her a unique ring he had designed himself, and they wed. Her wedding ring impressed all who saw it, and soon her husband was busily making more. The iconic design of a heart held in two hands with a crown above it symbolizes love, friendship and loyalty – making it the perfect Irish gift, engagement ring or wedding band.
Tie the Knot with a Trinity Knot Celtic Wedding Band
The trinity knot is a complex symbol with multiple meanings. Past, present and future is one interpretation, and it can also refer to generations of a family. For Christians, it can refer to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and before St. Patrick brough that faith to Ireland, people worshipped a triple goddess. A defining feature of Celtic knotwork is that the lines have no beginning or end. They form an infinite loop, making them a beautiful symbol for a marriage where your love feels eternal – as if you’ve always known each other and will always be together.
Spell It Out with Irish Language Wedding Rings
After surviving suppression by the British and an overbearing strict approach to teaching in Irish schools, the Irish language seems to have really hit its stride. People around the world are learning it, whether they have Irish roots or just a love of languages or Irish culture. Irish language phrases have been making appearances on Irish gifts since the Pogues rose to fame, but a wedding ring is a very poignant place for a message as gaeilge. (That means in Irish.) Mo anam cara is Irish for my soul mate, and that fits nicely on a wedding band.
Whichever of these traditional Irish symbols speaks to you, you can find a whole range of designs that feature them. From big, bright and bold to delicate and elegant, with or without dazzling gems, Irish wedding rings featuring these symbols offer a beautiful alternative to a plain gold band. If you’re going to wear something every day for the rest of your life, why not make it something truly special?