How to Wear a Claddagh Ring: Which Hand and Which Way

The short answer is this: wear a Claddagh ring on your right hand while you are single or dating, and on your left hand once you get engaged or marry. The way the heart faces adds a second message. This guide sets out the four traditional positions and explains how much weight to give them.

The four traditional positions

By tradition, the hand and the direction of the heart tell others how you feel. The table below sums up the customs as writers on Irish folklore describe them.

If the heart points towards your fingertips, the ring faces outward and the message stays open. If it points towards your wrist, the ring faces inward and the message stays closed. A simple way to remember this is that a heart facing in is a heart with a partner.

How strict are these rules?

They are customs, not laws. Folklore about the ring is mostly oral and fairly recent, and there is very little old Irish writing about it. As a result, local variations exist in Ireland and among the Irish abroad, and families disagree on some details.

Because of this, you can wear the ring the way that feels right to you. If a gift comes with a particular message, tell the person which way you would like the heart to face. A short note saves a lot of guessing.

Which finger should it go on?

For an engagement or a marriage, the tradition is the left ring finger. For a single or dating message, people wear it on the right hand, and the finger is a matter of comfort. Most people choose the finger that gives the best fit, because a ring that slides about is easy to lose.

If you are choosing a size, use our ring size guide and measure at home. A wide band feels tighter than a slim one, so allow for the width of the band.

How to turn the ring

Slip the ring on so that the point of the crown faces your fingertips for the open message. To change the message, take it off and put it back with the crown pointing to your wrist. The heart and crown stay on the top of the finger either way.

Some people like to change the position as their life changes. For example, a friend may wear the ring outward for years, then turn it inward after meeting a partner. That small ritual is part of the charm.

Can you wear it as a wedding ring?

Yes. Many couples use a Claddagh ring as an engagement ring or a wedding band. They wear it on the left hand with the heart facing in, which is the traditional sign of marriage. Our guide to the meaning of the Claddagh ring explains the three parts, and the Claddagh ring history guide covers the background.

Does the metal matter?

The message does not depend on the metal, but the care does. Sterling silver tarnishes slowly, so it needs a polish now and then, while gold keeps its shine with little effort. We compare the two in our guide to gold and silver Claddagh rings. If you are buying for a man, see choosing a Claddagh ring for men.

Questions people ask

What does it mean if the heart faces out?

On the right hand it means you are single. On the left hand it means an engagement.

Is it rude to wear one if you are not Irish?

No. The symbol is Irish, but anyone who likes its message may wear it.

Before you buy

Our jewellery care guide shows how to keep silver bright, and our delivery and returns page sets out the terms for when the shop opens. To learn how other designs fit into the story, see the Celtic symbols guide. You may also like our guides to Celtic knot meanings and the trinity knot.

Sources

• Claddagh ring (Wikipedia)