If traditional style engagement rings aren’t calling to you, and you’d prefer something a little more unique with an incredibly romantic meaning that’s steeped in history, then a beautifully intricate Celtic engagement ring could be a perfect choice instead.
Whether you have an Irish background or not, these rings have inspired jewellers for centuries and, here, we’ll be exploring their interesting history, meaningful symbolism and the most popular styles to choose from for both men and women.
What are Celtic Engagement Rings
Celtic engagement rings are traditional Irish rings that have been inspired by ancient Celtic designs. Available in a variety of different designs, they typically include a knot or a braid or a unique centre stone in an eye-catching setting. These beautifully intricate rings are often passed down through generations, making them extremely meaningful and sentimental to those who wear them.
The History of Celtic Engagement Rings
While engagement and wedding rings have been worn since almost 5,000 years ago, when the Romans decided to wear rings as a symbol of matrimony, the Irish Celtic ring's earliest appearance dates back to the 17th century.
The first Celtic ring, known as the Claddagh ring, was discovered in a small fishing village called Claddagh, which is now part of the city of Galway. According to legend, the ring was created by a man called Richard Joyce, who was captured and sold into slavery by Spanish soldiers. At the time of his capture, he was in love with a woman named Margaret. Throughout the years of his enslavement, Richard dreamt of returning to Claddagh and his beloved Margaret.
Eventually, he was sold to a goldsmith who taught him the trade, and Richard would steal a small piece of gold every day until he had enough to make a ring. Though it's not clear whether Richard was freed or managed to escape, he did make it back home to Claddagh where he found that Margaret had waited for him all those years. He presented with the ring he’d made that featured his initials, and so, the first official Claddagh ring was created.
Since then, as the Claddagh ring gained popularity, more styles and designs were created, each with their own unique meanings. These rings even became popular outside of Ireland and could be seen on the fingers of royals, such as Queen Victoria, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco.
Nowadays, Celtic rings are primarily treated as family heirlooms and will be passed down from mother to daughter for generations. However, nothing is stopping you from getting your partner a Celtic ring, even with no Irish heritage, and enjoying the ultra-romantic meaning behind them - and maybe even starting your own family tradition, too.
Popular Types of Celtic Engagement Rings
As mentioned, there are a variety of different Celtic engagement ring styles to choose from. Here are some of the most popular types:
- Claddagh Ring - As the original Celtic ring, the Claddagh ring is still an incredibly popular choice. This design of this ring depicts two hands clasping a centre stone which is often a heart-shaped diamond with a crown sitting on top.
- Trinity Knot Ring - The Trinity Knot ring, which is sometimes also known as the Celtic Knot, features a simple design of 3 weaving and interlocking lines. This style makes for a perfect wedding ring for both men and women.
- Celtic Warrior Ring - More commonly worn by men as a wedding band, the Celtic Warrior ring includes detailed Celtic symbols and shields engraved into the silver or gold metal.
The Meaning of Celtic Engagement Rings
Each different type of Celtic engagement and wedding ring has a powerful meaning behind them. So, if you’re struggling to choose a design to give to your partner, earning what the rings mean may help you to make the final decision.
- Claddagh Ring Meaning - Every element of the Claddagh ring, the hands, heart-shaped diamond and crown, all has its own symbolism, which makes it a truly special ring to give to someone. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love and the crown represents loyalty. These meanings make the Claddagh ring the ultimate symbol of love and ideal to propose to someone with.
- Trinity Knot Ring Meaning - The Trinity Knot ring can have several different meanings depending on how you see it. For the religious, the Trinity Knot can symbolise the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It can also be used to symbolise the unity of soul, heart and mind, which is perfect if you’re using it as a wedding ring. Or, it can signify the unity of family and the endless, unbreakable family love.
- Celtic Warrior Ring Meaning - Since the Celtic Warrior ring features old symbols and shields, it represents both courage and fearlessness as well as loyalty, protection and strength. This ring holds very powerful meanings that any man will feel proud to wear.
Celtic Engagement Rings for Men
All of the Celtic rings can be worn by both men and women! While it’s more common to see women wearing Claddagh rings, it’s actually a tradition for both partners to wear them during the engagement. However, men's Claddagh rings typically don’t feature the diamond and will instead have the metal moulded into the heart and hands design. Both the Trinity Knot ring and the Celtic Warrior ring are also suitable for men as wedding rings, and they can create a lovely symbolic start to the marriage if both partners wear matching rings with deep meanings behind them.
Thinking about proposing to your partner soon? Our
complete guide on getting engaged has everything covered, from choosing the perfect engagement ring to what to say when you propose.
Whether you have an Irish background or not, these rings have inspired jewellers for centuries and, here, we’ll be exploring their interesting history, meaningful symbolism and the most popular styles to choose from for both men and women.What are Celtic Engagement Rings
Celtic engagement rings are traditional Irish rings that have been inspired by ancient Celtic designs. Available in a variety of different designs, they typically include a knot or a braid or a unique centre stone in an eye-catching setting. These beautifully intricate rings are often passed down through generations, making them extremely meaningful and sentimental to those who wear them.The History of Celtic Engagement Rings
While engagement and wedding rings have been worn since almost 5,000 years ago, when the Romans decided to wear rings as a symbol of matrimony, the Irish Celtic ring's earliest appearance dates back to the 17th century.
The first Celtic ring, known as the Claddagh ring, was discovered in a small fishing village called Claddagh, which is now part of the city of Galway. According to legend, the ring was created by a man called Richard Joyce, who was captured and sold into slavery by Spanish soldiers. At the time of his capture, he was in love with a woman named Margaret. Throughout the years of his enslavement, Richard dreamt of returning to Claddagh and his beloved Margaret.
Eventually, he was sold to a goldsmith who taught him the trade, and Richard would steal a small piece of gold every day until he had enough to make a ring. Though it's not clear whether Richard was freed or managed to escape, he did make it back home to Claddagh where he found that Margaret had waited for him all those years. He presented with the ring he’d made that featured his initials, and so, the first official Claddagh ring was created.
Since then, as the Claddagh ring gained popularity, more styles and designs were created, each with their own unique meanings. These rings even became popular outside of Ireland and could be seen on the fingers of royals, such as Queen Victoria, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco.
Nowadays, Celtic rings are primarily treated as family heirlooms and will be passed down from mother to daughter for generations. However, nothing is stopping you from getting your partner a Celtic ring, even with no Irish heritage, and enjoying the ultra-romantic meaning behind them - and maybe even starting your own family tradition, too.Popular Types of Celtic Engagement Rings
As mentioned, there are a variety of different Celtic engagement ring styles to choose from. Here are some of the most popular types:The Meaning of Celtic Engagement Rings
Each different type of Celtic engagement and wedding ring has a powerful meaning behind them. So, if you’re struggling to choose a design to give to your partner, earning what the rings mean may help you to make the final decision.Celtic Engagement Rings for Men
All of the Celtic rings can be worn by both men and women! While it’s more common to see women wearing Claddagh rings, it’s actually a tradition for both partners to wear them during the engagement. However, men's Claddagh rings typically don’t feature the diamond and will instead have the metal moulded into the heart and hands design. Both the Trinity Knot ring and the Celtic Warrior ring are also suitable for men as wedding rings, and they can create a lovely symbolic start to the marriage if both partners wear matching rings with deep meanings behind them.
Thinking about proposing to your partner soon? Our complete guide on getting engaged has everything covered, from choosing the perfect engagement ring to what to say when you propose.