A symbol of relationship, power and splendor: The storied history of the ring
Ring…
Just hearing the name brings joy to the heart and a smile to the face. A ring has many names — such as ring, band, seal, token, etc. In every country, state, and region, based on their traditions, stories, and culture, the ring is known by different names. For example, in Kutch, a ring is called Karado or Vedhlo.
But do you know what the very first name of the ring was? When did the ring first begin? Which great king was the first to introduce it in history?
After deep study of ancient texts, historical books, traditional stories, and folklore, here is a short summary of the glorious history of the ring.
Ring forever
A ring and relationships are deeply connected. A ring is the true bond that ties relationships together. During an engagement, it is only through the exchange of rings that love is promised and a new journey of togetherness begins.
The tradition of wearing rings is thousands of years old. And rings are not only worn by women — men wear them too. In fact, thousands of years ago, it was men who first started the custom of wearing rings.
Ring – The Ornament of Fingers
The tradition of wearing rings as a fashion began with the Venetian people. After 1500 AD, the Venetians also started setting precious diamonds in rings. That fashion continues even today — and will continue for years to come.
A ring is a gift of love, a jewel for the fingers, and a symbol of social status.
Even if there are bangles on the wrists, a bindi on the forehead, anklets on the feet, and a nose ring that sways — without a ring on the fingers, the adornment always feels incomplete.
Ring – A Jewel for Your Fingers
Today, not only in India but across the world, the oldest evidence of rings has been found in the ruins of Mohenjo-Daro. If we look even further back, the Rigveda also mentions rings made of gold.
In ancient epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, rings also hold great importance. In the Ramayana, Sita gave her ring to Lord Rama as a token of memory. In the Mahabharata, a ring is mentioned when Abhimanyu was sent to break the Chakravyuh, wearing a ring.
References to rings are also found in the Bible and in Islamic traditions. Almost every religion has given some form of significance to the ring.
Thus, a ring is not only a symbol of love and bonding, but also an ornament cherished by all. The tradition of wearing a ring as a sign of love began long ago, but its importance extends far beyond romance — it also carries religious, social, and even political value.
Ancient scriptures and historical stories remind us that wearing a ring on the finger was considered almost like a social duty or law.
Glorious History
This was in the era of royal kingdoms, when the king alone was considered great — not the people. Rings (and seals) go back even earlier than that — to a time when kings did not know how to read or write. At that time, most of society and the people of the world were also illiterate. Communication and administration were carried out through symbols, gestures, and spoken words.
When a king wanted to secure his storehouse of grain and supplies so that nothing would be stolen, he would personally go to the warehouse door and stamp it with his royal symbol as a seal. Since there were no written records or calculations, this was the way to mark ownership and prevent theft.
Similarly, if the king bought horses, elephants, or other valuable possessions, he would mark them with his round royal symbol by pressing a heated coin-like seal onto them.
Every kingdom had its own unique round seal — a mark of identity for that king and his state. Just by looking at it, people could recognize to whom it belonged. This round coin-like seal was called a “Mudra” in those times.
Mudra – A Mark of Identity
To prevent guards of other kingdoms or outsiders from misusing the royal seal, the king himself kept this special coin safely. He never gave it to anyone else and personally used it whenever required.
As time passed and the affairs of the kingdom grew, the seal (the round coin) was needed more frequently. Gradually, it was mounted onto a ring so that it could always be worn on the finger and used easily. That is why it came to be called a ring (Veenti).
In those times, for royal decrees or permissions, instead of the king’s signature, his seal was stamped. Thus, the ring itself became the symbol of the king.
So, the king’s seal – royal seal – ring – symbol of the king – emblem of the kingdom.
Mudra stands for a Sign
With time, the king’s royal seal (Rajmudra) began to be engraved on rings worn on the finger. From that point onwards, the custom of wearing rings started. So, the rings we wear today are nothing but a continuation of the king’s royal seal.
The bond between humans and rings will never break, because a ring is a symbol of power, prosperity, and eternity. While it enhances the beauty of the fingers, it also represents status in society. Even the Pope, the head of Christianity, wears a special ring. When a new Pope is chosen, he is given a ring as a mark of authority.
As mentioned, the tradition started by kings and officials slowly spread among common people. Thousands of years ago, in Rome, it became a custom for every household to have its own family seal engraved on a ring. When a new bride entered the house, the very first gift given to her was a ring — so that she too could use the family’s seal. Roman history shows that even household goods and kitchenware were marked with this seal.
Over time, the era of kingship ended. In those days, only kings had the right to wear a ring (Rajmudra). No one else could. Kings lived with grandeur: private armies, cavalry, vast kingdoms, golden shoes, diamond-studded crowns — luxuries impossible for ordinary people.
But even in today’s practical world, though we may not have those luxuries, we can still wear rings — rings that are often more beautiful and enchanting than those worn by kings. By wearing them, we can still experience a glimpse of royal life.
If we look even deeper into ancient history, we find that there once existed very special and mysterious rings called Vikha Mudra. These rings had a diamond or gem set at the top, and underneath, a tiny hidden compartment was crafted. This compartment was airtight and watertight, and inside it, powdered poison was kept. During wars, such rings were worn for suicidal purposes.
Which finger should a ring be worn on?
In many countries and regions, the engagement ring is worn on the finger next to the little finger (the ring finger). However, in some places, it is worn on the left hand, and in others, on the right hand. People have had different beliefs about this for centuries.
But today, after modern scientific discoveries, there is no longer any debate. Recent successful heart surgeries and angiography have shown that the vein from the third finger of the left hand (the ring finger) is directly connected to the heart. That is why, scientifically and symbolically, the engagement ring is worn on the left hand’s ring finger.
The exchange of rings during engagement also has a symbolic meaning: in ancient times, a royal seal (Rajmudra) was stamped to declare ownership. In the same way, giving a ring to a loved one means: “From this moment, you belong to me”. It is both a sign of love and a reminder of the bond every time one looks at the ring.
Because of this, the ring has gained universal acceptance as the symbol of love. That is why it is often said:
👉 “In the entire world, there are only two things known as the true symbols of love — the Taj Mahal and the Ring.”