May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
-Irish Blessing
Whether you're Irish or not, St Patrick's Day is a fun holiday to celebrate. Odds are you'll be wearing green-unless you want to be pinched! Ireland has a rich history, and Celtic jewelry is both beautiful and symbolic. We've listed five of the most popular Irish/Celtic inspired designs that you might encounter:
- My all time favorite piece of Irish inspired jewelry is the Claddagh ring, which was once used as an Irish wedding band in the city of Claddagh, Ireland about four hundred years ago. The rings come in a variety of designs- sterling silver, gold, and with or without stones. Avon currently carries a sterling silver Claddagh ring for $39.99, and a silvertone ring for under $10.00.
- Many people admire Celtic crosses for their intricate geometric designs. Currently, Amazon has a wide selection of these crosses for both men and women. Throughout Irish history, Celtic crosses often symbolized the passage between heaven and the earth. Many of the crosses feature a circular middle, which has also been associated with the idea of infinite love and the halo of Christ. Celtic crosses, often referred to as Trinity crosses, are very popular in jewelry design today.
- You may be familiar with the triscal, which is a simple, spiral shaped design. No one actually knows the significance of the design, but many believe that the design symbolizes the Trinity- the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. The triscal is commonly found as a pendant or on rings. Many people modernly associate the triscal with witchcraft and Wiccan cultures. However, this association is a modern one and is very off base.
- Celtic knotwork rings have become very popular recently, especially in the design of modern wedding bands. Many jewelers, including retailers such as Walmart and Kmart, have begun to carry several Celtic knotwork designs.
- Shamrock jewelry is always classic of St. Patrick's Day. The shamrock holds several different meanings in Irish culture. Many people believe that a four leaf clover is a sign of good luck. Additionally, shamrocks have had religious connotations and was also a symbol for the Catholic underground during political rebellions during the 1800s in Ireland.
The Claddagh ring was once an Irish wedding band and has increased in poularity of modern jewelry design over the past couple of years.
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However you decide to celebrate St. Patrick's day this year, may you have the luck of the Irish.
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