The #1 Promise Ring Guide!
Courtesy of 1st-4-Wedding-Bands.com
Table of Contents:
WHAT
ARE PROMISE RINGS?
Promise ring definition.
While there are many different interpretations of exactly what is a
promise ring -- there really is only one promise ring definition:
A promise ring is a piece of jewelry given when an agreement or oath
has been made between two people and the ring is meant as a memento of
that commitment.
SEE
WHAT’S HOT!
Promise Ring Top 10 Styles
(In alphabetical order)
 Celtic
- Claddagh promise rings
 Christian
- Religious promise rings
 Diamond
promise rings
 Engraved
- Posey promise rings
 Gemstone
promise rings
 Gold
promise rings
 Heart
promise rings
 Platinum
promise rings
 Silver
promise rings
 White
gold promise rings
PROMISE
RING MEANINGS
Love or Friendship?
As stated earlier, the meaning of a promise ring can be translated many
different ways. Reference the following examples of the different meaning
of promise rings and reasons to exchange or wear a particular promise
ring:
- Pre-Engagement
Promise Rings:
A promise of engagement is one of the most popular reasons why couples
exchange promise rings. To put this in the simplest of terms: a promise
ring symbolizes the commitment you'll be getting engaged. This ring
is then followed by the engagement ring which promises you'll get married.
The process of dating; then going steady; followed by engagement and
finally marriage has become a progression of commitment in stages for
couples today.
For instance, when our grandparents were young -- a boy gave his girlfriend
his class ring to wear around her neck on a chain and asked her to “go
steady” with him. Many couples are using promise rings today
in a similar fashion.
- Chastity
promise rings or purity promise rings:
Promise rings for sexual abstinence are quite popular now among teenagers.
Many teens wear the ring as a symbol of their promise to remain pure
until marriage. On their wedding night, the couple may choose to present
the promise rings that they have been wearing to each other as gifts
to celebrate their sexual union.
- Monogamy
promise rings or fidelity promise rings:
are often exchanged between couples who want to seal their mutual promise
of fidelity and monogamy but are not yet engaged or married.
- Christian
promise ring or Religious promise ring:
Spiritual promise rings are always a popular choice. The wearer of
this type of promise ring is making a pledge to have “faith in
a power greater than themselves”. These promise rings may include
a Spiritual, Christian or Religious symbol such as a dove, cross, crucifix,
praying hands, angel, etc.
- Custom
promise rings make great friendship rings:
Rings have been exchanged as tokens of friendship for centuries. A
custom promise ring may be something that links the friends to an eternal
pact of kinship. For example, maybe the friends share a love of dolphins,
cats or even a sporting event. To symbolize this shared interest, a
custom promise ring could be fabricated to showcase the commonalities
of the friendship.
- Substance
Abstinence Promise Rings:
The Greek word "amethystos" can be loosely
translated as "not drunken". Centuries ago, Amethyst was
considered to be a very strong antidote against drunkenness. Today,
the amethyst gemstone still symbolizes sobriety, and is therefore the
perfect gemstone to have for a substance abstinence promise ring. Sobriety
promise rings with spiritual connections and/or the amethyst gemstone
are suitable for all types of substance sobriety including; alcohol
abuse & drug abuse, food addiction, gambling or sexual addictions.
A
PROMISE RING FOR MEN?
Why not get a promise ring for him!
Yes -- mens promise rings are all the rage! Promise rings for men can
be any design or style. However, if a more masculine promise ring is
what you’re looking for – why not try a Celtic, Claddagh
or Greek Key style. These rings can be purchased in a jewelry promise
ring set or individually.
The symbolism surrounding them is very meaningful as well:
- Celtic promise ring: a series of intricate
woven knots that make one continuous, unbroken line symbolizing the
hope of eternal life. This symbol has come to be accepted as a talisman
of longevity.
- Claddagh promise ring: the heart in the
center of the design represents love, the hands that surround it represent
friendship, and the crown at the top (if present) is symbolic of fidelity.
- Greek promise rings: Greek key, the classic
traditional Greek design meaning eternity.
POSEY RING
The ancient & endearing term for a promise ring.
The word 'Posey' has the same meaning as: Promise, Poesy, Posy, and
Posie.
- The name Posey is a combination of the words poem and essay. The
engraved promise ring reaches far back to our Egyptian ancestors. Engraving
became quite popular in the 16th and 17th centuries and the Posey ring
is often referred to in Shakespeare's plays.
- Poesy rings are a type of engraved band exchanged between lovers
or friends and inscribed with romantic sentiments or meaningful dates
and/or sayings.
PROMISE
RING POEMS
Engrave your commitment!
Poetry and promise rings go hand in hand. Because it is difficult to
engrave many words on a promise ring – there are many abbreviated
inscriptions that have withstood the test of time. Here are a few examples
of popular engraved messages.
FRENCH:
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'AMOUR SOIEZ SURE -- Of my love be
sure
EN BIEN EMER - Encircled with love
J'AIME ET J'ESPERE - I love and I hope
MON COER AVEZ - My heart you have
NE WEIL AYMER AUTRE QUE VOUS -- Do not
wish to love any other
PAR GRANT AMOUR -- For my greatest love
PENCEZ DE MOY -- Think of me
POR TOUS JOURS -- For all days
POUR AMOUR SAY DOUC -- For love so sweet
PUR LE MEUX -- For the best
TOUT POUR BIEN -- For all that is good
UNE DEZIRE -- My one desire
VOUS ET NUL AUTRE -- You and no other
ENGLISH:
ALL I REFUSE AND THEE I CHUSE
FAITHLES TO NONE YET FAITHFUL TO ONE
FORGET ME NOT
IN THY BREAST MY HEART DOTH REST
LOVE IS ENOUGH
MANY ARE THE STARRS I SEE, YET IN MY EYE, NO STARR LIKE THEE
I AM MY BELOVED'S AND MY BELOVED IS MINE
LATIN:
SEMPER AMEMUS -- Our love is forever
AMOR VINCIT OMNIA -- Love conquers all
CARPE DIEM -- Seize the Day
LIBERI VIVAS -- May you live carefree
HEBREW:
ASK AFTER THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
I AM MY BELOVED'S AND MY BELOVED IS MINE
MAZEL TOV -- Marital "good luck' ring
GERMAN:
ER KRUSSE MIT SEINES MUNDES -- He kisses
me with the kisses of his mouth
MYN GENYST -- My heart
CHRISTIAN:
1 CORINTHIANS
GOD FOR ME PROVIDED THEE
GOD UNITE BOTH IN LOVE
WITH THIS RING, I THEE WED
SPANISH:
NO TENGO MAS QUE DARTE -- I have nothing
more to give you but my heart
ITALIAN:
MANI IN FEDE -- Hands Together in Faith
WHICH
FINGER DO YOU WEAR A PROMISE RING ON?
Promise ring etiquette!
Depending on what type of pledge you are making determines which finger
a promise ring goes on.
Again, make sure you and the person exchanging promise rings understand
what the ring will symbolize.
There is no such thing as a hard and fast rule to wearing a promise
ring – do whatever you feel comfortable with. Here are a few suggestions
on how you may choose to wear a promise ring:
- Friendship promise rings or custom promise rings (non-romantic):
Any finger, however, because these rings are exchanged between non-romantic
friends, you may not want to wear it on the left ring finger so that
there is no misconception of romance.
- Pre-engagement promise rings:
Left or right ring finger. Traditionally, a pre-engagement
promise ring would be worn on the left hand. Many people wear the ring
on their left hand ring finger and then move it to the right hand ring
finger once they receive their actual engagement ring.
- Purity promise ring or chastity promise ring:
Any finger is appropriate.
- Christian promise rings or Religious promise rings:
Any finger is appropriate.
- Monogamy promise rings or fidelity promise rings:
Left hand or right hand ring finger, however the left hand ring finger
is considered more symbolic.
- Claddagh promise ring:
Claddagh rings can be worn in several ways, each of
which symbolizes something significant:
- Worn on the right hand with the heart facing outward – it
means that the wearer’s heart is free.
- Worn on the right hand with the heart turned inward – it
means that the wearer’s heart is taken.
- Worn on the left hand, it means that the wearer has made a promise
of love and fidelity.
PROMISE
RING HISTORY
Where did it all begin?
There are several tales relating to the history of the promise ring.
Rings have been used symbolically for many centuries and in many different
ways. Some interesting examples include:
- In 1177, two major European authorities signed a peace treaty in
Venice that marked the end of the centuries-old battle between the
Papal State and the Empire. To this day, this historic event is commemorated
in different parts of the world by tossing a ring into the waters on
Ascension morning (the 40th day after Easter – which celebrates
the Ascension of Christ into heaven) each year to renew the city’s “promise
of marriage” or “peace” with the Adriatic Sea.
- In sixteenth century England, uncut diamond crystals were set into "scribbling
rings". Couples who exchanged these rings used the points of the
exposed diamonds to delineate or imprint romantic writings in windows,
glass or mirrors that would be forever etched in loving memory.
- Kissing the Pope’s ring is a symbol of faith and respect for
the Catholic Church. Also, many Bishops, Priests and Nuns wear rings
as a pledge of their spiritual commitment to the church.
IN SUMMARY
A promise ring should be given genuinely and sincerely, with all parties
being clear on the promise or commitment that has been made and received.
In other words, do not give someone a promise ring without telling them
exactly what your intentions mean.
For more information about promise rings, please see these related articles:
Promise
Ring Etiquette: What does a promise ring mean?
- Promise Rings -
Choose from the wide selection of Comfort Fit promise rings!
- Gemstone - Diamond Promise Rings -
To express your promise of love, devotion and commitment to her - let
us help you encapsulate it all into one with a Mondera Promise Ring.
- CZ Promise Rings
Beautiful CZ promise rings ~~ 49 styles at prices you won't believe!
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