A Rage for Rings
If you had a signet ring-a ring with a carving on it so you could stamp an image
onto another surface - in the ancient world, it would be the absolute last
thing you would want to part with. It was more important than the cell phone or
palm pilot of today! Kings used them to pass down their power. Merchants had
the emblems of their trade carved on them and used them to seal contracts.
Signet rings were as good as a signature, and stealing one of them was a
serious offense. The mark on a signet ring could enhance one's reputation or
condemn one to death, as those who wore rings with the impression of Brutus and
Cassius discovered after Julius Caesar's assassination.
Many signet rings had mottoes cut on them, while royal signet rings were
lavishly decorated with precious metal, gems and rich enamel. Signet rings
remained popular through the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, customarily
engraved upon gold and enhanced by carnelians, chalcedonies, lapis lazuli or
bloodstones.
Did you know that....
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Women of rank in the Middle Ages wore signet rings as symbols of prestige?
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One of the most famous signet rings belonged to Michelangelo, which boasted a
carving of a segment of the Sistine Chapel.
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Lovers had romantic images engraved on their signet rings?
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Some images minted on ancient coins were reproductions of the seals of city
magistrates?
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To dream of a signet ring boded well or ill, depending on the nature of the
dream?
Rings have been a part of religion in many cultures throughout history. Rome's
high priests, for instance, wore hollow rings to identify themselves as those
exempt from the hard labor of daily life.
When Christianity arrived on the scene, religious rings became hallmarks of the
faith. These rings were often decorated with Biblical scenes, episodes from the
Life of Jesus, and even creatures such as fish, which were symbolically tied to
Christianity.
Papal rings are probably the most famous religious rings in the world today.
They are so important that an ecclesiastical signet ring is broken upon the
death of the Pope who wore it! The Fisherman's Ring, a massive and ornate gold
seal ring, is made for each succeeding Pope.
Wearers of religious rings have always had excellent taste in ring materials:
the sapphire has often been the stone of choice, but other stones have been
favored, including pearls, garnets, opals, emeralds and rubies.
Did you know that....
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Some religious rings were believed to possess talismanic power?
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In Episcopal rings, the ruby stood for glory, sapphire for chastity and
happiness, amethyst for the color of the wine used at the Holy Eucharist and
emerald for hope and the Resurrection?
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Today, a nun is given a ring only when she is consecrated to the faith?
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The Hindus had grass rings to officiate at religious ceremonies?
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Wedding Customs
A Rage for Rings
