Celtic Wedding Bands

Celtic Wedding Bands have been around for ages, but in recent years they’ve become something of a trend.  More and more couples are choosing to exchange wedding bands with Celtic designs than ever before.  In fact, there are entire websites that specialize in Celtic jewelry of all kinds.

Whether or not “Lord of the Rings” has had something to do with this new wedding jewellery trend is debatable.  What is clear is the deep symbolic meaning of the geometric designs and hand held hearts found on these beautiful wedding bands.

Most Celtic wedding band designs feature interwoven shapes, or knots.  There are some that look like two hearts linked together and others that appear to be two wavy lines infinitely interwoven around the circumference of the wedding band. 

The most ornate bands are some of the most impressive, appearing to be one thin, gnarled line of precious metal symmetrically intertwined with no end, no middle and no beginning that builds an entire ring.  Many believe this endless know to represent a spiritual eternity and refer to the timeless nature of our human spirit.  Wedding bands that feature Celtic knots frequently symbolize eternal love, never-ending devotion and a complete mingling of souls in the ceremony of marriage.

The Claddagh ring (pronounced Klah-dah) is another popular Celtic wedding ring design featuring two hands holding a crowned heart. Claddagh rings are named after the ancient Irish village, Claddagh which is located just outside Galway City in Ireland.  The story goes that an Irishman named Richard Joyce was captured and sold into slavery where he worked for a master jewelry maker. When he finally gained his freedom, he returned to his hometown of Claddagh where he made jewelry.  At this time he invented the Claddagh design to symbolize his love for his town, his family and his country.

Today, the beautiful symbol of a royal heart held between two hands has also been interpreted as a sign of love, friendship and marriage.  Celtic designs can look magical and their knotted designs are perfectly unisex, making it easy for a couple to exchange matching Celtic bands. I see the new trend as a new way for couples to wear a heart-warming symbol of the beautiful bond between them as husband and wife.