I was told by my husband (pure Scottish on one side and pure Irish on the other) that it is worn heart outward on the right hand as a sign that you are not spoken for, heart outward on the left hand when engaged and heart inward when one is married. He also said that the claddagh should be given as a gift. We both wear claddagh rings as wedding bands and instead of placing the rings on each other's fingers during our wedding ceremony we simply flipped each others rings (it proved a little difficult since our rings didn't want to come off easily due to nerves. I don't think that is tradition, it was more of a personal touch since my hubby is obsessed with his heritage. We also bougt our daughter Shannen a claddagh for her first birthday. I chose one with turquoise in the center as it is a symbolic stone for protection.

Brenda