Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-12-19
ALL ABOUT RINGS
Some Curious FaciS in Regar0 to Their
AGE and Use.

Age and Use.
Thousands of years ago, when th
members of the Royal House of Egyp
were laid to rest in the stately rock
hewn cham bers appointed for them
their rank was indicated by the jewel
buried with them, by the gold neck
laces and armlets of cunning work
manship; by the flashing emeralds, dia
monds, rubles, pearls and Opals which
formed the decoration of the rings
adOring their lifeless fingers. The w0
man OF fashion, who prides herself up
on the number and beauty of her rings
seldom takes time to think of anti
quity of such hand-wear, and of the
many uses which rings have served be-
side that of simple personal adorn-
ment.
In some part of Africa, ring money
| made of bar of metal shaped into a
circle, with the ends not quite meeting,
has been used ever since the days of
the Pharoahs, when the Egyptians
made common use of ring chains which
could be easily increased or decreased
for barter, as the owner paid out OF
received bis money.
Other nations also used the ring
money, as is evidenced by the chains
worn around the necks of the gallic
warriors, some of which weighed four
pounds. Rings for the arms, neck,
legs, ears and sometimes the nose. have
always been used as well as those for
the finger. The Bible tells us that
rings in ancient times indicated the
rank of the Wearer or his official posi-
ton, for it says that PharOah gave one
to Joseph badge of authority. Rings
were also a symbol of authority when
worn by the ancient Greece and Roman
ambassador. Sometimes they were in
cribed with NEUROLOGICAL devices, en-
craving upon gems being carried to a
great degree of perfection in those
days. The Romans derived the custom
of wearing rings from the Sabine
wives, whose fingers were adorned
with them.
The Spartans passed law that no
thing but iron rings should be worm
in Sparta, Early Egyptians engraved
theirs with their names and titles, and
among women of rank g. favorite de- |
vice was the head of cat, emblematic |
Of the goddess Bast, the Diana of the
Rings play an important |
part as symbols of office and religion.
A Cardinal, when he is invested with |
Cardinals robes, is also given ring
oy the Pope. The Pope himself has
wo rings, which have come down TO
nlm by his predecessors. One he uses
rs a seal, the other being the impress |
Of the head of Christ, is reserved for
State occasions.
The Jews, long before the coming of |
Christ, used rings as betrothal or
pledge. In Iceland the old |
ceremony of troth plight was consum
mated by man passing his entire
land through large ring and clasp
ng that of his future bride.
The Italians have signalized them
selves by first using the diamond, the
emblem of faith and purity, as the be- |
;rothal stone. |
The ancient betrOthal rings were
wins, and lovers separated them and
zach wore half. A superstition
against pearls and opals bar their use
n betrothal rings.
Around wedding rings many To-
nances are woven, and about them
many facts are related. Luther s rings
with which he wed Catherine Won Bora
Ire silver, with the names of Luther
and his wife on the inside, together
With the dates. When the Duke of
Hamilton was married in haste he
1sed certain ring. The tiniest mar
iage ring of which any account is CIV
IN is that used by Cardinal Wolsey at
he marriage of Mary, the daughter of
Henry VIII, when she was only two
7ears old, and the Dauphin of France
1t eight months.
The Greek Church first instituted
he custom of wearing the wedding
ing on the third finger of the left hand
rom the belief that the nerve of that
finger directly communicated with the
leart.