Rings – A Fashion statement or…?
“Rings on her finger, bells on her toes, she shall have music wherever she goes” so goes the nursery rhyme that we learnt as children.
Rings to adorn fingers have fascinated human beings from times anon. Historically, the earliest reports about rings were from the excavations of the Indus Valley Civilization dating to the 3rd Millennium BC.
A circular band generally made of metal (copper, bronze, silver, gold or platinum or a combination of them) is usually denoted as a ring when it adorns a finger and fit snugly. Rings may be embellished with engravings or etched or embedded with semiprecious or precious stones or even glass or synthetic materials. Circular bands adorning other parts of the body have other specific names like bangles for wrists, toe-rings for toes, nose ring for the nose and so on. There are more than 50 styles of rings ranging from the signet ring to the finger armour ring.
Rings
have been omnipresent in the universal consciousness of humans as shown by their
reference in mythology, literature, songs and movies. Mythology from all over
the world, whether Norse, Welsh, Christian or Hindu and others refer to the
ring. In Hindu mythology, it is a ring that is supposed to have enabled Hanuman
to fly over the ocean to locate Sita in Lanka and it is the same ring that is shown
to her as a proof of being the emissary of Ram. In the Bible, there are 11
verses about rings (most of them being references to signet ring) indicating
authority and honour. The rings in mythology, legends
and literature were often said to possess divine or mystical powers which were
magical. The Lord of the Rings is a
novel all about such a ring and its magical powers. In the 2013 Bollywood movie,
Akshaya Kumar sports rings on his finger to flaunt his power by wearing rings
that spell it out.
Though most people wear rings for decoration or for
ostentatious flaunting of their prosperity and affluence, rings do have a
deeper significance with reference to marriage (both the engagement as well as
the final ceremony), position in society (Ecclesiastical ring), membership in an organization(Masonic ring worn
by Freemasons), attainment of an
academic degree (Doctoral ring)and so on. Signet rings with emblems were used
to endorse letters and ratify contracts. It is common knowledge that many
historical characters used to conceal poison in their rings to commit suicide
if caught by enemies.
The first reference to wedding rings is with reference to the ancient Egyptians, who used plants growing on the sides of the river Nile to weave the circlet to solemnize the wedding. A circle has no beginning or end so it was used to symbolize infinity or endless love. This practice was later included in Christian and Jewish wedding ceremonies but initially, only the bride received the ring but it was only since World War II that men also began to wear the wedding ring. The wedding ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand because of a myth that there's a vein running directly from the fourth finger to one’s heart. Modern science has proven that such a thing doesn't exist but it continues to be the finger of choice due to tradition. In many countries, notably Northern and Eastern European countries, including Denmark, Norway, Russia, Poland, and Bulgaria as also Sri Lanka and India, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand and in other fingers too in some cases.
Most people wear rings without being conscious of why they wear them (except for the wedding ring which is always worn on the ring finger of the left hand) and this is considered as a negative trait by Palmists. If you want the ring to affect your life or personality, Fig 1 provides some guidance.
Fig1: Symbolism of positive and negative aspects of character and inner strength denoted by the rings worn on different fingers.
Ref: https://godgivenglyphs.com/chirology-articles/rings-on-your-fingers/
Whether your fingers are long and slender, short and stubby or just of the average dimension, the ring will definitely enhance it and make it stand out. Remember, however, that rings should be like spice, they should complement what’s already there.
4 comments:
Very interesting article - did not know the wide range of symbolism and history of the ring. Since we grew up near one of largest steel plant, we all must remember that, many manufacturing shops consider wearing a ring hazardous as metal may get heated up radiation or provide an impediment to wrist and finger work.
Very interesting analysis of one of the very favourite ornaments of both sexes from time immemorial. I immediately thought of Shakunthala whose destiny was vry imaginatively wound around a ring which slipped in water and landed in the stomach of a fish making her stomach the tragic consequences!
Yes, there are a lot of interesting legends related to ring in most of the Mythologies around the world, I had to control myself from relating many of them. Thank you, my friend!
Sudesh Kannan, what you say is true! Doctors especially surgeons avoid rings since they may act as fomites, it is advisable for cooks also to avoid rings for the same reason but most performers in cookery shows flaunt their rings.
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