There are various rings that people can wear. From tiny simple ones, to big shiny elegant ones, the selections are endless. The bigger ones that people notice immediately is when someone wears an engagement ring or a wedding ring. But what about a Claddagh ring? This writer has noticed that there has been an increase in young people (especially in young ladies) who wear Claddagh rings.

The Claddagh is one of the many symbols of Ireland. The traditional Claddagh rings have two hands holding a heart that wears a crown. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love and the crown represents loyalty. But this ring is more than just a symbol and a representation of different relationships.

Not many people realize this, but a Claddagh ring is used to indicate to people the wearers relationship status. "How is this," you maybe asking. Myself being a wearer of a Claddagh ring, I can tell you the many meanings behind this tiny ring.

1. Right hand with the point of the heart toward the fingertips:

When the wearer wears the ring this way, it shows that the wearer is single. It also shows that the wearer is looking for love.

2. Right hand with the point of the heart toward the wrist:

If you see someone's Claddagh and it's pointed inward, you may want to avoid flirting with this person. The wearer whose ring is this way on their finger, it means they are in a relationship.

3. Left hand with the point of the heart toward the fingertips:

Most people who go out to clubs or events to meet other single people look for rings on the left ring finger. It could be a big sparkly ring like this, or it could be small and simple. But if you see a Claddagh on the left hand, like above, it means the wearer is engaged to be married. It would be acceptable to say congratulations to the person who wears their Claddagh this way.

4. Left hand with the point of the heart toward the wrist:

If the last way of wearing a Claddagh ring showed the wearer was engaged, you can only guess what this way means. The wearer is married if their Claddagh is being worn like a wedding ring.

The Claddagh ring is more than just a representation of a person's Irish heritage — it's a symbol of a person's relationship status. Remember these meanings next time you see a person wearing a Claddagh.