The Irish Claddagh symbolizes - friendship, love, and loyalty. (Hands = friendship, Heart = Love, Crown for loyalty)

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Claddagh

In the early 16th century, a week before he was married,  an Irish man (Richard Joyce) was fishing off the coast of Galway.  His currach (boat) capsizedand he found himself captured by pirates. He was taken to West Africa and sold into slavery to a Moorish goldsmith. After several years passed, Richard escaped captivity. He to Ireland to find the girl who he was to marry was still single and shaped a ring for her.  He forged the Cladagh ring with three symbols.  The first Cladagh symbol what that of hands, which signified friendship. The Cladagh  hands were holding a heart, which signified love. The Cladagh heart was toped with a crown, which sygnified loyalty. Richard married the woman he loved and gave her the Cladagh ring They settled in the village of Claddagh (heence the name). The village no longer exists but the symbolism of the ring Richard does. Still today the  

Claddagh ring is worn as a sign of love, loyalty and friendship.