Irish Celtic Rings

Irish Celtic rings are trendy and much sought after today, the most common being wedding bands, engagement and promise rings or rings given in the spirit of friendship, yet their intricate designs and patterns that include spirals, knots and scrolls can still not be accurately explained.

The origin of the Irish Celtic people, their customs and traditions were orally passed down from generation to generation through folklore and legend and nothing about this ancient culture was ever written down. However, the patterns and designs that exist in their art could be looked at as a unique form of writing that has managed to capture their cultures, beliefs, and traditions. The challenge lies in deciphering them accurately and today the symbolism of Irish Celtic jewelry is mostly assumed.

What is known is that Irish Celtic rings date back to about the 1st century BCE. In light of this it is hardly surprising that the meanings attributed to their design has changed over time.

The Celts left a depiction of their life in etchings found in caves as well as carved into stone structure, and even passed their unique and beautiful patterns to the Christians who immortalized them in their books, notably the Irish Book of Kells which is richly decorated throughout with abstract Celtic designs. It is these designs that are emulated in today's Irish rings.

Ancient history shows that due to persecution the Celts migrated to different lands, one being Ireland. These Irish Celts were later influenced by Christianity and so there are two separate views or meanings that can be attributed to Celtic jewelry. The original meaning is based in the shape of their jewelry. This changed after their conversion to Christianity when the meaning attributed to them stemmed from their designs and patterns. This has also led to Irish Celtic jewelry being dated in two ways; one going back to the time of the very ancient Celts and the other to the time after Christianity.

Significance of Rings
For the ancients, Irish Celtic rings held a much cherished tradition as they considered them to be one of the strongest symbols of marriage and they were able to convey traditional messages of never ending love either between God and humanity or between man and woman. They were beautifully crafted in precious metals such as gold or silver which themselves conveyed a message as precious metals such as these illustrated not only the wearer's social status but also their financial status or political status. More common though, these symbolic rings were wrought from bronze or iron but even these were intricately decorated with knot work and spirals and even animals and were so carefully crafted that they too became items of great beauty. Their symbolic meaning of long lasting love or friendship stands today.

There are perhaps many symbols that have been lost over time but the ones in vogue today reflect patterns such as the un-broken Trinity Knot also known as the Celtic triskelion, which has three sides. The number three was very sacred to the ancient Celts and it is believed that this design originally signified the three stages of pagan goddesses which are maiden, mother and old woman, or crone.

After their conversion from Paganism to Christianity the significance changed and became instead a symbol of the Holy Trinity, the father, son and Holy Spirit. Today we can attribute the meaning of love between God, man and wife and even the three way tie between God, the giver of the ring and the love they hold toward family or friends. What is evident is that the ancient Celts captured in these intricately designed rings the faith and reverence towards and their belief in everlasting love.

Claddagh Irish Rings
The Claddagh ring is a modern day interpretation of these ancient Celtic rings and it holds its own significance. Although The Claddagh is shared by all Celts, in Ireland it was derived from a much older ring called the "Fede", or faith ring. The "Fede" ring dates back to Roman times and was traditionally worn as either an engagement ring or a wedding band that was traditionally passed down from mother to daughter.