My Claddagh necklace, a meaningful symbol of my Irish culture, is an extremely special artifact to me and my family. Along with my mom, grandparents, cousins, and other Irish relatives, each member of my family has a piece of Claddagh jewelry, most commonly a ring. These rings, along with my necklace, symbolize the three most important characteristics a person must have according to Irish culture: friendship, love, and loyalty. The heart symbolizes love and is traditionally worn facing inward if a person is single, or outward if they are in a relationship. While the heart symbolizes this love in a romantic relationship, the hands show the importance of maintaining strong friendships as well. The crown, finally, connects these two forms of love by highlighting the most important characteristic needed to share a relationship with someone: loyalty. These rings are an essential part of my family’s culture and the Irish heritage in general, as my grandmother, along with many other Irish immigrants, wore them when coming to the United States to stay close to their culture. My family continues to carry on this tradition to this day to honor our Irish roots and tell our story.
 

– Emma Minson

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant