How to Wear a Claddagh Ring: Traditional Irish Rules

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Learn how to wear this traditional Irish ring with style

Co-authored by Nicole Wegman and Dev Murphy, MA

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

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Wearing the Ring to Indicate Relationship Status

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Finding Your Own Meaning

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Q&A

The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish jewelry item composed of a pair of hands, which symbolize friendship; a heart, which symbolizes love; and a crown, which symbolizes loyalty. It is often worn as a wedding ring or more casually as a piece of eye-catching jewelry. Keep reading to learn how to wear a Claddagh ring, whether you choose to imbue it with romantic meaning or display it in a less traditional fashion.

Things You Should Know

Wear a Claddagh ring on your right ring finger with the point facing out when you’re single to show you’re available, or pointing inward to show you’re dating.
When you’re engaged, wear the ring on your left ring finger with the heart facing out to show you’re committed, but haven’t tied the knot yet.
After you’re married, reverse the ring so that it points inward to show that you’re in a permanent relationship.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Wearing the Ring to Indicate Relationship Status

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When you’re single: Wear the ring on your right ring finger when you’re single, point-out. Wearing the Claddagh ring on your ring finger shows that you're romantically inclined, but wearing it on the right hand with the point out indicates you have not yet found the person you are going to marry.^{[1]
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When you’re dating: When you've found someone special and made a commitment to date them, turn the ring around so that the heart points toward the center of your hand. This shows that your heart is currently unavailable. Leave the ring on your right ring finger, though, since you are still unmarried.

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When you’re engaged: Wear the ring on your left ring finger with the heart facing out to show that you're engaged. Facing the heart out shows that you're committed, but you still haven't tied the knot.
- Wearing a ring on this finger is a traditional symbol of engagement or marriage in many cultures, and Irish culture adopts this as well. When you wear a Claddagh on your left ring finger, it's a sign that you've found the one you'll be spending the rest of your life with.
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When you’re married: Wear the ring on your left ring finger with the heart facing in to show that you're married. The heart facing in shows that you’re in a permanent relationship and that your heart has been captured. Traditionally, the ring is reversed during the wedding ceremony, as you transition from "engaged" to "married."

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Finding Your Own Meaning

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Wear the ring to display your heritage. Many Irish people wear Claddagh rings as a symbol of their Irish heritage, rather than as a way to display their romantic status. Claddagh rings may be worn on any finger and may be turned in either direction, whichever is most comfortable for the person wearing the ring. They don't have to be worn to indicate a romantic status, and can be worn on the left ring finger without a relationship or engagement or a marriage.
- Some people wear Claddagh rings on necklace chains, rather than on their fingers.
- Claddagh rings may also be worn on bracelets, or kept in the pocket as a charm.
- Make sure you wear the correct ring size to prevent your ring from spinning. You can determine your ring size using a ring sizer, or by measuring your finger with measuring tape.
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Wear the ring to remember someone special. Claddagh rings make meaningful gifts for friends and relatives, whether or not romance is involved in the equation. If you received a Claddagh ring as a gift and would prefer not to wear it to show your romantic status, it's just fine to wear it however you choose.
- There are many different types of Claddagh rings, such as ones with birthstones, diamonds, gold, silver, or even platinum. Although they all mean the same thing, different styles may make the ring more personal.

Community Q&A

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Question

I was given a claddagh ring by someone I have been dating for several months, but with no question of pending marriage. Which finger do I wear it on?

Community Answer

Wear the ring on your right hand, but with the heart facing toward your body. This indicates that you are in a relationship but not yet married.

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Question

My mom's funeral is coming up, and I want to wear her ring, but her hands were so tiny that it does not fit. What can I do?

Community Answer

Take it to a jeweler to have it resized. It might cost a bit, but well worth it. If there's not enough time for that, you could put the ring on a chain, and wear it as a necklace or a bracelet.

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Question

Does it have to be worn on the ring finger?

Community Answer

Not necessarily. If you want to "show off" your relationship status, then yes. Otherwise, if you are just wearing it because of heritage or someone special gave it to you, you can put it on whatever finger you please.

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