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The Claddagh dates back more than 300 years to the small
fishing village of Claddagh in Ireland. The Claddagh is very
symbolic and is most frequently worn as a ring. The Claddagh
ring was first produced during the reign of Queen Mary II in the
17th century.
The Claddagh design features two hands clasping a heart
topped with a crown. The hands signify friendship and
togetherness, the heart symbolizes love and the crown stands for
loyalty. Even the way the Claddagh ring is worn has meaning --
signifying if the wearer is single, in a serious relationship,
engaged or married.
With the exodus of many from Ireland during the Irish Potato
Famine in the years 1845-1849, the Claddagh was brought
throughout the world with the Irish emigrants. Today the
Claddagh is very familiar to many and is most commonly
associated with those of Irish ancestry.
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