Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I'm only 1/6 Irish, but I am celebrating my Irish heritage today by wearing green and sporting my Claddagh necklace which I bought at a nice little Irish shop in Sioux Falls a few years ago. When I was looking at the jewelry in the shop, the owner began telling me the story of the Claddagh ring, and I was so fond of it that I treated myself to a necklace (it didn't seem like the kind of ring to by for myself). Here's the story....A man named Richard Joyce set off for the West Indian slave plantations intending to marry his love when he returned. Joyce was kidnapped himself in rough seas by a band of Mediterranean pirates and sold to a Moorish goldsmith who over the many long years of his exile helped him perfect the skills of a master craftsman. When William III became king, he demanded the Moors release all British prisoners. As a result, Richard Joyce was set free. The goldsmith had such a great amount of respect for Richard Joyce that he offered Joyce his daughter and half his wealth if Joyce stayed, but he denied his offer and returned home to marry his love who awaited his return. During his time with the Moors he forged a ring as a symbol of his love for her. Upon his return he presented her with the ring and they were married.
The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown).
