My Heart is in The King's Hands

The Irish are known for their fantastical folklore and legends. This is partly due to the rich cultural history on the Emerald Isle, and also their reputation for telling tall tales. Regardless, it is easy to get caught up in the romantic musings of a good story-teller. One of the most iconic symbols of Irish culture has such a story. 

The Claddagh ring originated in a small fishing village of the same name on the western-most coast of Ireland. It is told that Richard Joyce set out from Claddagh on a ship bound for the West Indies. He was supposed to get married the following week, but his ship was captured by Algerian pirates and the crew was sold into slavery. Joyce was sold to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in the craft. Joyce soon became a master-goldsmith, and out of the agonized depths of his heart, crafted a unique ring for his bride who awaited his return at home. 

When William III came to the throne in the 17th century, he ordered that all of his subjects who were under Moorish captivity were to be released. The goldsmith offered his daughter and half of his wealth if Joyce would stay and work for him. But Joyce could not exchange his true love for riches, and so he returned to Ireland. Upon proposing marriage, Joyce gave his beloved bride the ring he crafted along with the promise that he would remain loyal to her in love and friendship for all eternity. They settled in the town of Claddagh and opened a goldsmith shop where he made and sold those unique rings. Little did he know that the symbol of his passionate love would eventually become the cultural icon of a nation. 

The Cladagh ring depicts two hands embracing a heart wearing a crown, symbolizing love, loyalty, and friendship. They closely resemble "fede" rings, which are simply two hands coming together. These were widely popular during the Roman Empire when the gesture of clasping hands was a symbol of pledging vows; the two hands represented the joining of faith and trust. Today, Claddagh rings are used as wedding bands as well as a symbol to identify oneself with Irish culture. 

I grew up with an emphasis on my Celtic heritage as well as an inquisitive mind about Irish folklore. That was part of what inspired me to study in Ireland for a semester. While on a trip to Galway (a city near Claddagh), I learned of the rich history of the Claddagh ring and became fascinated with the meanings associated with it.

It was when I returned stateside that I began a relationship with Jesus and a year later I was baptized. Knowing the parallels between baptism and a wedding ceremony, I wanted to get a Claddagh ring as a representation of my love and loyalty to Christ. It wasn’t until a few months after that The Lord revealed a deeper meaning to my ring than I had ever realized.

One day I was wrestling with God, asking Him why my heart was hurting and being stretched in so many directions. I suddenly looked down at my right hand and saw a meaning beyond what I had intended: my heart is in The King’s Hands. It struck me powerfully. How had I never noticed that connotation before? God has my heart, and I know He will guard it faithfully. Psalm 111:7 says, “The works of His hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.” I had been reading through the Old Testament at the time and was struck by Deuteronomy 11:18. “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul and bind them as a sign on your hand.”

So, without realizing it, I had taken the words the Lord had yet to reveal to me and made them as a sign upon my hand. It is so beautiful how God plans every detail of our lives, and I can only imagine how much He delights in the moments when we finally get it, when we can do nothing else but sit in wonder and awe of his holy and sovereign ways.

Now when I look down I am reminded that The High King of Heaven and earth tenderly holds my heart in His faithful and trustworthy hands. It is so humbling to think that the Creator God – who reigns on high and who died and rose again to save every human who ever has and ever will live – loves me so personally that He would cradle my fragile heart in His mighty hands.

So, most people wear a Claddagh ring because it is the 'Irish thing to do'. I wear mine because it is a powerful reminder of the faithfulness and trustworthiness of my Lord and Savior. Thank you, God, for loving me and saving me and reminding me of this every day of my life.