Archive for May, 2008

The Claddagh Ring

Posted on: May 20th, 2008 by Sine Treanor No Comments

The Claddagh Ring is a traditional piece of Irish jewelry which is replete with meaning and folk historical significance. In its design, the Claddagh Ring represents three critical aspects – love, loyalty, and friendship. Two hands symbolize enduring companionship. The heart which they clasp symbolizes love. And the crown which adorns the hands and the heart symbolizes the bond of loyalty. While the original Claddagh Rings were minted in the 17th century, the rich symbolism of the rings dates hundreds if not thousands of years and draws meaning from other crucial Irish and Christian symbols.

The first and most storied maker of Claddagh Rings was a Galway smith named Richard Joyce, who left his jewelers mark under the initials RI. Subsequent Claddagh Ring makers of fame also came from Galway. These included George and Andrew Robinson as well as Nicolas Burdge and Austin French.

The mythology built up over the inspiration for the Claddagh Ring is pretty entertaining. Stories abound about how the ring came to be. One likely apocryphal story suggests that the ring literally fell out of the sky into the lap of the wife of the mayor of Galway at the turn of the 17th century. Supposedly, it was a reward for her good works in the city. Another legend describes the journey of the aforementioned Richard Joyce. As the story goes, he was kidnapped and held by Algerians after a boat voyage. The Moors trained him in the art of smithy and taught him the design for the Claddagh Ring. Upon his liberation at the order of King William III, Joyce returned to Galway to marry his long awaited sweetheart, leaving great wealth and respect in Algeria.

According to tradition, the Claddagh Ring symbolizes different states of “relationship availability” depending on how it is worn. If the crown is turned inwards, it indicates that heart of the wearer of the ring is occupied. If, on the other hand, the Claddagh Ring is worn in the left hand with the crown facing out towards the world, it means that the wearer is open to being involved in a new relationship and may in fact be actively seeking love.

If you’re with the man or woman of your dreams, and for some reason your Claddagh Ring’s band breaks, never fear. This is actually a good omen. According to legend, this means that the person you’re with is bound to be yours forever.

Whether you’re shopping for a Claddagh Ring to present your betrothed in preparation for a traditional Irish wedding or you’re looking to order a custom made Irish charm for an occasion like a birthday or anniversary, please consider using the services here at Celtic Wedding Rings.com. We are Dublin craftspeople with 20 years in the jewelry and arts industry, and our handcrafted Claddagh Rings, Trinity Knots, Tara Brooches, St. Bridget’s Crosses, and other Celtic jewelry pieces are renown not just throughout Dublin but throughout the world. Express your sentiments simply, purposefully, and imbued with the rich and lovely traditions of Ireland. Dial us toll free at 1 800 350-9962 or email us to get started. Products which come out of our workshop are overseen and hallmarked by the official Dublin Castle Assay’s office, so you’re guaranteed superior quality when you shop here at celtic-weddingrings.com.

The Trinity Knot

Posted on: May 16th, 2008 by Sine Treanor No Comments

The Trinity Knot – also referred to as the Triquetra – is a special Celtic symbol which refers to the Holy Trinity of the Christian tradition. The Trinity Knot comes in a variety of artistic designs, some of which reflect the influences of Pagan cultures. It’s a historically rooted talisman of Irish culture, and it symbolizes the unity or “coming together” of a host of forms. The loops which connect the various segments of the Trinity Knot emphasize “wholeness,” while the three distinct corners represent the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost. Throughout Irish history, countless craftspeople have produced richly ornamented and ornate Trinity Knots made of all manner of materials. Medieval lords treasured and horded many of these pieces, for instance.

 

Curiously, variance among Trinity Knot designs can speak volumes about the culture of provenance. The Triquetra can be tightly knotted, interlaced, overlapping, set into a cross, integrated with a circle symbol and much more. The Triquetra can be found outside of traditional Irish symbolic contexts as well. The rock band Led Zeppelin as well as Canada’s new Democratic Party have used the Triquetra to awesome symbolic effect.

 

The Triquetra symbol has also cropped up in other cultures around the world. Neo pagans, for instance, used the symbol to worship the “three pronged” goddesses of the sky, the land, and the ocean. Modern day Wiccans also employ the symbol in their worship rituals. Wiccans interpret the three cornered symbol as representative of three aspects of womanhood – that of the mother or life giver, the crone or old lady, and the maiden or fertile young girl.

 

Trinity Knots are not the only kind of Celtic knots. Some looping Celtic symbols, which date back to at least 440 AD (and perhaps earlier), contain more than three sides and contain winding (some say never ending) loops. Again, the interpretations of what these loops, points, and knotting patterns represent can confound even the most well studied historical iconographers. The one thing we do know is that the Celtic knot (and the Trinity Knot in particular) has long been an enduring symbol of Irishness. And however you interpret the form from a metaphorical point of view, it’s undeniably an aesthetically beautiful symbol.

 

If you’d like to buy a handcrafted, custom designed Trinity Knot for yourself or for a loved one for a special occasion, please shop with us here at celtic-weddingrings.com. In addition to custom designing and hallmarking Trinity Knot Celtic jewelry, we also design and produce Celtic engagement rings, piercing jewelry, cross rings, tie pins, and many other traditional and diverse pieces. We will hand cast your Trinity Knot, and we can ship all over the world. For special ordering needs or quick timeframe requests, email one of our representatives or dial us for a toll free consultation at 1 800 350-9962.

How to Propose

Posted on: May 7th, 2008 by Sine Treanor No Comments

You could read 1,001 guides on how to propose to your sweetheart. But all the clever tactics, cutesy romantic gestures, and silly surprises in the world won’t mean much if you don’t have a strong bond of love in place to begin with. That’s said, it’s all too easy for even very natural couples to become stilted, awkward, and shockingly unromantic when it comes time to propose. So here are some tips for how to “break the ice.”

First, propose in a setting that is conducive to your personality as a couple. If you and your fiancé-to-be are rambunctious, outgoing sport fans, it may be a wonderful surprise to propose via Jumbotron at the stadium of your favorite baseball team. If, on the other hand, your personality as a couple is reserved and delicate, you may want to propose at a favorite restaurant or an elegant country retreat. Only you and your honey know what you enjoy together – so don’t let “gimmick envy” intervene with your natural romantic impulses.

That’s said, here are some cute but ultimately fun and meaningful ideas for how to propose. As a one-off from the clichéd “hide the diamond ring in her dessert” tactic, you could offer her an envelope with a card sealed inside. Tell her you have a gift – it’s hers if she wants it. When she opens the envelope, she discovers a piece of paper with your last name written on it. (Note: this tactic may not work for non-traditional couples!) Another way to go is to make up a book of cartoons detailing episodes from your relationship and then to tape the ring into the back of the book, so that the conclusion of your personalized romantic story is the presentation of the ring.

As with most romantic gestures that require some production skills, preparation is key. You know your fiancé-to-be better than anyone else. What settings and events make her happy? You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to set the mood and create fun romantic drama – nor do you have to make the situation particularly complicated or contrived. Think of a simple, fun, personal way to pop the question and then work backwards to get your ducks in a row.

In terms of choosing your engagement ring, avoid the temptation to go overboard and spend months of your salary on a ring you truly can’t afford. As a newly engaged couple, you’ll likely face imminent financial pressures planning your wedding. That said, there’s no getting around the fact that, in today’s society, the engagement ring is a major status symbol, and the larger the stone you’re comfortably able to afford, the more fun it will be for her to show off her ring to her friends, her relatives, her co-workers, passersby, and anyone else who she meets for the rest of her life.

If you’re looking to discover superior custom-made Celtic jewelry, diamond rings, and Celtic engagement rings, look no further than celtic-weddingrings.com. Our finely crafted, custom tailored jewelry products are all made and hallmarked in Dublin, Ireland, and we use only the finest gold, silver, and platinum to prepare your cherished treasures. Browse our website to view some examples of Celtic engagement rings and diamond rings, or call one of our operators toll free to learn more about our process and the deep traditions behind many of our fine wares.

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