This is the tattoo that my eldest daughter just got in memory of my parents. Dad died December 4th, 2017 and Mom followed 2 years and 1 day after on December 5th, 2019. The 7 shamrocks represent them, myself and my 4 other siblings. O’Brien was my maiden name. What a testament to her love of us all!
The center symbol is the Claddagh which holds a special place in the hearts of our family. A little background for you:
The story of the Claddagh is based in rich Irish culture. It begins about five centuries ago in the fishing village of Claddagh, just outside the city of Galway. Men of the village, much as they do today, would go out to the sea, each day, to fish for food for their families and other villagers. The sea presented many dangers. On some days the sea was high and on others the current was strong. The greatest risk, however, was that there were pirates. On one such day, the story goes, a young man was fishing at sea with other men from his family. Suddenly, from their small boat, they spied a Spanish pirate ship. That sight, the men were certain sealed their fate. The pirates captured the men from Claddagh and brought them to the far off North Coast of Africa. It was there that they were sold into slavery for what they were sure would be the rest of their lives. Richard, the youngest of those captured, was the most distraught. All men had left loved ones behind, but Richard had just met his true love and now feared that he would not live to see her again. Years passed and several of the men died. Others accepted their fate. Richard worked as a slave, but continued to long for a return to his village and to his beloved. To keep his spirits up and to keep hope in his heart, each day Richard stole a tiny speck of gold from his slave masters in the goldsmith shop where he tended the fires. Years passed and, with his tiny pieces of gold, he was finally able to fashion a ring. It was his hope that, despite what seemed nearly impossible, he would return to his village and present the ring to his true love. No one really knows if Richard escaped or earned his release from slavery, but in either event, the day finally came when Richard could begin the long trip back to his village in Ireland . . . to his home. At his journey’s end, Richard was overcome with joy when he learned that his beloved had remained true to him in his long absence, waiting faithfully for him to return. It was on that day that Richard gave his beloved the ring he created that is now known worldwide as the Claddagh Ring. The Claddagh design appears not only in rings, but in other types of jewelry as well. The heart in the cladadgh symbolizes the love Richard longed to share with his true love. The crown symbolizes his undying loyalty and the hands symbolize friendship, which is, after all, the very foundation of love, with loyalty holding the two hands together. The Claddagh design became popular as an engagement or a wedding ring. It took on even more significance when Claddagh rings began to be worn widely by women throughout Ireland, on the west coast and the islands, where the claddagh may well have been the only major “investment” in a fishing family, an heirloom handed down from mother to daughter.
There even is a guide which explains the symbolism of how the ring is worn. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart pointing out, it means that the wearer’s heart is uncommitted. Worn on the same hand with the heart pointing inward, the Claddagh ring means that the wearer’s heart is taken. Worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward, it means “Let Love and Friendship reign forever, never to be separated.” The Claddagh has a rich heritage and will surely be in vogue for many years to come.
Peace and Love,
Teresa Marie
*image source: magickalgraphics.com
*image source: wallpaper-s.org
Sometime when you are sitting around and surfing the web for something to read, I’d like to give you a few suggestions of sites to check out:
http://arjun1097.wordpress.com
Arjun writes a variety of things; poems, thoughts and stories. I’ve been following one of his suspense stories he started and it is very good!
http://nightlysky.wordpress.com
Randall writes primarily poetry but takes on some controversial subject matter. I find his poems are excellent and thought provoking.
http://4valentines4words4poetryforyou.wordpress.com
Kevin has become a dear friend of mine through the blogosphere. He writes some great poems too! Kevin gave me the honor of writing one for me 🙂
http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com
Charles is another cyber-friend. He writes a variety of things as well; poetry, daily inspiration/thoughts, true life stories. He inspires me and I love his wit.
http://chicpress.wordpress.com
Abi is my “adopted cyber-daughter” and has become very precious to me. She writes poetry and short stories. Very, very good and talented for her age.
Those are just a few to start with. I may try to do this as a weekly/monthly thing and give you a few to check out each time. I don’t want anyone to be offended if they don’t see their site listed here!! I have way too many to put them all in one post 🙂 This was just a taste. Otherwise it would be way, way too long and people wouldn’t read it, lol!
Peace,
Terri
What about God? 