Promise Rings! Hot Symbols of Commitment Since the 16th Century!

Mary Ferguson

What’s all this fuss about promise rings? Are they something new
or have they been around for a while? What do they mean and why
is my teenager wearing one? If you’ve ever wondered what the rage
is all about, then you’ve come to the right place!

What exactly is a promise ring?

When an agreement or oath has been made between two people, a
promise ring is a piece of jewelry given as a token of the
commitment that was made.

Sounds simple enough doesn’t it? Well, be careful because the
promise made between two people can be practically anything. It’s
imperative that both parties are clear on the meaning of the pact
or pledge.

For example:

Monogamy: A promise to stay faithful to one another.

Chastity or Purity: A promise to keep ones virginity until
marriage.

Friendship: A promise to seal a pledge of eternal friendship.

Substance or Sobriety: A promise to remain free from addictive
behavior (alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, etc.).

Religious or Christian: A promise to remain committed to one’s
faith or belief in the God of their understanding.

These are just a few of the more popular reasons to give or wear
a promise ring.

Pre-Engagement

That being said, the most popular reason to give a promise ring
is for pre-engagement.

Are you confused yet? Pre-engagement is actually not as bad as it
sounds. It has always been popular to exchange promise rings, so
a couple can showcase their commitment to one another prior to
getting engaged. In other words, this ring is symbolic of a
promise there will be an engagement ring forthcoming.

If you are old enough to remember “going steady” with someone
then giving this type of promise ring is kind of the updated
version of going steady. The symbolism of the promise ring is
really no different than a girl of years ago wearing her
boyfriend’s high school ring on a chain around her neck or
wearing her steady boyfriend’s letterman jacket. If you are too
young to understand this analogy, talk to your parents or
grandparents and they can enlighten you.

This trial period before the engagement is a good way for a
couple to test the waters before they make an actual commitment
to marriage. Some may scoff at this gesture of pre-engagement.
However, with the rise in divorce rates in this country it may be
wise to start off slowly in the relationship instead of rushing
ahead into something you are not ready for.

The other good news here is that a promise ring costs
significantly less than an engagement ring. It makes a wonderful
alternative for the couple who chooses not to spend a fortune on
a ring at this time but still wants to make a statement about
their commitment to one another.

How does one wear a promise ring – which finger, which hand?

Basically it’s strictly a matter of personal preference, however
the finger and hand you choose can depend entirely on the type of
ring it is and in some cases the type of pledge. For example, an
Irish Claddagh ring can have several meanings depending on the
way it is:

Worn on the left hand, the wearer has made a promise of love and
fidelity.

Worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward, the
wearer’s heart is free.

Worn on the right hand with the heart turned inward, the Wearer’s
heart is taken.

If you are exchanging friendship rings, it may be wise to wear
the ring on your right hand so there is no confusion about
romantic ties. There are many different types of rings you can
share with a friend that will be meaningful to you both. A fun
vacation you went on or the love of a certain hobby or animal,
for example. My best friend and I share a love of cats.
Therefore, we bought matching kitty cat rings, gold with diamond
pave no less! These rings are special only to us and are a symbol
of our friendship.

Most people associate the wearing of a ring on the left hand ring
finger to mean that a significant commitment of some sort has
been made.

If the promise is for pre-engagement, many couples choose to wear
this ring on their left hand ring finger. They then switch the
ring to their right hand once the actual engagement ring or
wedding band is received.

Likewise a ring exchanged for the promise of monogamy or fidelity
would be worn on the left hand ring finger to symbolize that the
wearer’s heart is taken.

Where did the promise ring originate?

Rings themselves have been symbolic for many thousands of years.
The circle has no beginning and no end and is a strong symbol for
eternity.

Have you ever heard of a scribbling ring? In sixteenth century
England, uncut diamond crystals were set into rings and exchanged
by lovers. The wearers of these scribbling rings would use the
points of the diamonds to etch (or “scribble”) romantic writings
to each other in glass, mirrors or windows.

Another popular ring exchanged during Shakespearian times was
called a Posey Ring. Posey rings are inscribed with poetic
phrases or dates significant to the wearer.

It is believed that wearing words next to ones skin has a magical
effect. These symbolic words may be carved on the outside or
inside of the ring, or on both sides, there is no right or wrong
way to do it!

Posey rings are a romantic way to share an expression of love and
come engraved with beautiful sayings. It is no surprise that
since French is said to be the language of love — the French
poseys are very popular. Some special phrases include:

A Ma Vie De Coer Entier – My whole heart for my whole life

A Vila Mon Coer, Gardi Li Mo – Here is my heart, guard it well

Amor Meus – My Love

Autre Ne Veuil – No one, but you

De M’Amoure Soiez Sure – Of my love be sure

Ok, so maybe French isn’t your thing – how about one of these:

In Gaelic – Anam Cara – Soul Friend

In English – I Am My Beloved’s & My Beloved Is Mine

In Latin – Semper Amenus – Our love is forever

In German – Mine Genyst – My heart

In Hebrew – Mazel Tov – Marital good luck ring

Christian – With This Ring, I Thee Wed

In Italian – Mani In Fede – Hands Together in Faith

In Spanish – No Tengo Mas Que Darte – I have nothing more to give
you but my heart

Use your imagination and write a Posey of your own!

The list of Posey ring sayings is endless! If you really want to
“wow” the love of your life, come up with a special phrase that
is meaningful to just the two of you. Having a special ring
engraved with one of your own poseys would be a very romantic way
for you to share your most heartfelt sentiments with a special
someone you care about!

Mary Ferguson is a successful writer and internet entrepreneur.
She has written many informative jewelry articles on such topics
as promise rings, promise ring significance and promise ring
etiquette.

http://www.1st-4-jewelry-stores.com/promise-rings.html