The Symbolism Of Rings - Some Of The Reasons They Are Worn
By Gregg Hall
Some jewelry has symbolism that is quite evident just by the design of the piece itself such as that of a Christian cross which shows the wearer is a believer or that of a Star of David which of course stands for the religion of Judaism. Others may require a little more investigation but the ring is a piece of jewelry that is full of symbolism in itself regardless of the design. The shape of a ring with its never ending circle is what makes it the perfect selection for the eternal love of a couple joined in marriage which is why they are used for weddings.
Rings have more symbolism in some cultures than others. Some cultures may have certain classes of people who wear rings while others do not. Another use of rings is to signify the fact that one belongs to a certain group or fraternity. Graduation rings are a popular ring that is used for this purpose as are those worn by the winners of major sports events such as the Super Bowl or the NCCA Football National Championship.
The actual stones have their own meaning as well; birthstones are a great example of this with different stones having a meaning for each month of the year. Everyone has heard the statement, “Diamonds are forever”, which is why they are used for engagement and wedding rings.
In many cultures the finger upon which a person wears a ring bears a certain significance as well. Some societies view the thumb as a symbol of will power and therefore a person that wears a ring on their thumb is viewed as having a strong will. If one wears the ring on their index finger this is considered the authority finger and can indicate that the person is of higher political or social standing. Those who where a ring on their ring finger are seen as being imaginative and having a high degree of creativity.
The act of giving someone a ring requires a lot more forethought than you would imagine. Some people place a higher importance and significance on rings and on what finger the ring is worn on so you need to have a good understanding of the person’s personal feelings and beliefs about rings before you buy them one. This is why it pays to try to slow down and understand the reason behind the creation of a certain ring or other piece of jewelry and realize that their may be enormous symbolism behind it.
About the Author
Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about rings as well as gold jewelry at http://www.gemsorjewelryplus.com
