The short answer: wear a claddagh ring on your right hand with the point of the heart towards your fingertips if you are single, and towards your wrist if you are in a relationship. Wear it on your left ring finger with the heart towards your fingertips if you are engaged, and towards your wrist if you are married.
| Hand | Point of the heart faces | What it traditionally says |
|---|---|---|
| Right hand | Towards your fingertips (outwards) | Single, and your heart is open |
| Right hand | Towards your wrist (inwards) | In a relationship |
| Left ring finger | Towards your fingertips | Engaged |
| Left ring finger | Towards your wrist | Married |
1. Right hand, heart facing out: single
With the ring on your right hand and the point of the heart towards your fingertips, the heart faces away from you. Tradition says your heart is open, and you may be looking for love.
2. Right hand, heart facing in: in a relationship
Turn the ring around so the point of the heart faces your wrist. It tells people your heart is taken.
3. Left ring finger, heart facing out: engaged
Moved to the ring finger of the left hand, with the point of the heart towards your fingertips, the claddagh becomes an engagement ring.
4. Left ring finger, heart facing in: married
On your wedding day the ring is turned so the point of the heart faces your wrist. Many couples use a claddagh as their wedding band.
Are these rules strict?
No. These four positions are the most common explanation, but customs vary between regions and families, and there is very little early Irish writing about how the ring should be worn. Many people simply wear their claddagh the way they like it.
Do the same rules apply to men?
Yes. Men wear the claddagh in the same four ways. See our men’s claddagh rings.
Other ways to wear a claddagh
- On a necklace: a claddagh pendant keeps the design close to the heart, ideal if you do not wear rings.
- As earrings: claddagh earrings carry the same meaning.
- On another finger: nothing stops you wearing a claddagh on your middle finger or thumb, though the traditional message is read from the ring finger.
Make sure it fits
A claddagh that is too loose turns on the finger and the heart ends up facing the wrong way. Check your size with our UK ring size guide before you buy.
Want to know more about the symbols? Read what the claddagh ring means, or browse our claddagh rings.