How to Understand the Symbolism of Rings

By eHow Weddings Editor

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While there's not an established significance associated with every ring you might wear, some rings are by their nature symbolic, while others take on added symbolism depending on the finger you wear them on. This is especially true of engagement and wedding rings, but may apply to other rings as well.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Jewelry Boxes
Claddagh Rings
Class Rings
Engagement Rings
Friendship Rings
Mother's Rings
Promise Rings
Wedding Rings

Step1

Wear a mother's ring to show the birth months of each of your children. The ring is made up of birthstones - one for each child - arranged in one of several styles.

Step2

Order a school ring that displays your year of graduation and the activities you are involved in. Tradition has it that the ring is worn with the insignia facing inward (toward you) while you are in school, and is changed so that the insignia faces out (away from you) after you have graduated.

Step3

Wear a friendship ring to symbolize a close - but not necessarily romantic - relationship. This ring is often worn on the little finger, but can be worn on any finger of either hand.

Step4

Choose an Irish Claddagh ring (two hands clasping a heart with a crown) as a friendship, engagement or wedding ring. Each item pictured is symbolic, as is the way that the ring is worn. (See "How to Wear a Claddagh Ring" in Related eHows, left.)

Step5

Give or wear a promise ring to symbolize love, faith and commitment - but not engagement. This ring is usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand, but is not as formal or expensive as an engagement ring.

Step6

Wear a diamond ring on the ring finger of the left hand to signify engagement. The diamond symbolizes purity and light.

Step7

Place a wedding ring on the ring finger of your left hand. Tradition says a vein from this finger runs directly to the heart, putting a ring worn here closer to the heart than a ring worn on any other finger.

Tips & Warnings

If students are "going steady," the boy wears the girl's class ring on his pinky finger, while she wears his ring around her neck on a chain.
The design of a promise ring can include a diamond or other stone, or be a simple gold ring with intertwined hearts.
In some cultures, the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger of the right hand.
If you give a promise ring that contains a diamond, be sure it is not interpreted as an engagement ring, especially if you are not ready to be engaged.

Comments

feylynne said

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on 7/26/2007 In Arab society the engagement ring is the same ring you use for your wedding ring. Both the man and woman wear their wedding rings on the ring finger of the right hand and then during the marriage ceremony the rings are moved to the left ring fingers. I love the symbolism of this transition and it gets rid of the need for overly-materialistic diamond engagement rings. Also, it's very equal as the man is as proud of wearing his engagement ring as the woman is of wearing hers. My fiance shows off his every chance he gets--he loves being "taken off of the market"!!! It's so lovely!

cassy said

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on 12/7/2006 Promise Rings- Promise rings is something that is beaufiful and gives the woman a sense of security. I recently got a P.R. from my man and I was sooooo happy because it showed me that he was very serious about me and about our relationship. He talks about marriage and kids with me ALL the time and about how he can't wait. He calls the ring "the ring before your engagement ring", lol. He is so cute. I love him dearly and I know that he loves me dearly too. We know for sure that we are the ones for each other. He has given me confidence and security. A Promise Ring is very special.

cassy said

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on 12/7/2006 a promise ring is a beautiful thought and gesture. i just got one from my man and that shows me how serious he is about us. he talks about marriage an kids with me ALL the time and thats great. he said that "thats my ring before my engagament ring" and i'm happy.

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Many jewelry lovers have a common question on their mind and that is on which finger to wear a ring. There are three to four fingers on the hand which are quite popular for wearing rings, however it should be understood that the term ring finger refers to a particular finger on the hand. It therefore does not mean that any finger on which a ring is worn could be called a ring finger. In this article we try to answer the most common questions that relate to a ring finger, we also analyze the reason why a finger came to be known as the ring finger.

Let us start by first identifying which finger is the ring finger. For this, hold your left hand palm up and facing you, now start counting your fingers starting with the thumb.
The thumb is the first finger, now move toward the right and count the second and third fingers, stop when you arrive at the fourth finger as that is the ring finger. You can of course say that the finger that is next to the small finger is the ring finger. The small finger
is also called the pinky finger. You should also remember that when most people refer to the ring finger, they refer to this finger on the left hand and not the right hand.

So why is this finger referred to as the ring finger? In the ancient times it was believed that, there is a vital blood vessel that runs from the ring finger on the left hand directly to the heart! Since the heart is long believed to be a symbol of love, this finger was named as the ring finger. It is therefore apparent that a ring worn on the ring finger of the left hand, is worn with some matrimonial intentions or significance. A promise ring worn with a commitment to marriage, an engagement ring and a wedding ring are some examples of such rings. As medical sciences advanced, it was proved that the belief of a vital blood vessel connecting the left hand ring finger and the heart was wrong! However, the finger continues to be referred to as the ring finger until today.

We have mentioned above that the left hand ring finger is the finger where most people wear their wedding rings or engagement rings. However, a clarification of the finger on which a promise ring is worn, should be made. The meaning of the ring finger symbolizes a special type of relationship with matrimonial intentions. A promise ring can be worn for many reasons and not just with intentions of a matrimonial relationship. Promise rings worn to signify close friendship (not matrimonial), promise rings that are a commitment to purity or religious
promise rings, should ideally be worn on a finger other than the ring finger of the left hand.

The above article provides information that is both interesting and important regarding the meaning of the ring finger and also why this finger came to be known as the ring finger. It is important that a ring worn without matrimonial intentions on the ring finger of the left hand, could be misunderstood to mean an engagement ring or wedding ring or a promise ring (with matrimonial intentions).

You can read the complete report on the meaning of the ring finger and the significance of wearing a ring on the ring finger of the left hand. This report has been compiled after an intensive study was conducted by Kaisilver experts on this topic. The full report is available at this link:
http://www.newsletter.kaijewels.com/ring-finger-meaning-kj-01.htm

We will be back with more interesting and useful information regarding gem stones and jewelry.

Thanks and God Bless.
Regards.
Ms.Jittrah
http://www.kaisilver.com

Ms.Jittrah is senior executive at http://www.kaisilver.com the world's largest online provider of high end custom jewelry. All our custom jewelry can be ordered in 14k or 18k white or yellow gold with high end craftsmanship. You can choose from our jewelry designs or send us your own
designs to be custom made.

Anonymous said

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on 1/25/2006 This can sometimes indicate a gay or lesbian committed relationship-- either living together or married (in some areas). Usually this is symbolized by a silver band, either decorated or plain. The two partners may wear the same or similar rings. However, they may wear two different styles-- but more than likely they will be silver and not gold (since most heterosexual unions are symbolized by gold rings).

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