Religious Promise Ring

Types of Religious Promises

A number of different spiritual promises can be symbolized by Christian or other religious ring designs. The most popular types of promises to be represented by sentimental rings include:

• Religious Commitment: A general, strong commitment to one’s faith can easily be symbolized by a promise ring. This is also appropriate for someone who chooses to devote their life and service to God, such as a seminary student, priest, monk, or nun.
• Purity Promises: A popular promise ring meaning is purity and chastity, often strongly connected to religious ideals. Many churches offer abstinence commitment programs, and individuals who become a part of that program often wear a religious ring to symbolize their choice.
• Saint Devotion: An individual who follows the teachings of a particular saint or prophet may choose a promise ring that symbolizes their hope to follow that saint’s devotion.
• Spiritual Wedding: Many couples choose Christian wedding rings to symbolize their marital promise to one another simultaneously with their promises of faith and spirituality.
• Rediscovering Faith: An individual who has been reborn into their own faith or who opts to convert to a new spirituality may choose to wear a promise ring to demonstrate their commitment to new or revitalized beliefs.

Giving a Religious Ring

Depending on the reasons for giving a religious promise ring, it may be presented at any time or during special ceremonies, such as:

• Baptism, first communion, or confirmation
• As the highlight of a purity ceremony
• When a student graduates from seminary or other religious studies
• As a gift for Easter, Christmas, or other religiously significant holidays

Religious Promise Ring Designs

There are many ring designs that use religious and spiritual symbolism suitable for many faiths. Popular ring symbols include:

• Fish
• Crosses and crucifix designs, including Celtic crosses
• Thorns or nails
• WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)
• JMJ (Jesus Mary Joseph)

Christian fish are popular.

• Engravings of Bible chapter and verse numbers
• Angels or angel wings
• Rosary patterns
• Woven or engraved Star of David figures
• Rosebuds to symbolize purity
• Doves
• Footprints

Depending on the ring design, symbols may be etched, carved, or engraved on a band, or they may be charms or figures attached to a simple band. Some ring designs use diamonds or other semi precious gemstones, while other styles incorporate different types of precious metals – gold and silver are the most popular – for color and contrast.

Choosing a ring design with a religious symbol is a bold statement of personal spirituality, and some individuals may not be comfortable with such a blatant symbol, instead preferring a more subtle, private devotion. If that is the case, a simple band may have interior engraving of a religious verse, cross, or other symbol for a heartfelt but very personal religious promise ring.

Finding Religious Rings

Many jewelers offer a small selection of religious and Christian ring styles, particularly around Good Friday and Easter. Artisan jewelers may specialize in religious designs, or religious rings can be ordered from online retailers. A wide range of spiritual promise rings can be found from the following websites:

• Christian Jeweler
• Promise Rings Overnight
• Faith Jewelers
• Factory 79
• Diamond Engagement Rings, Inc.
• Jewelry 4 Christians
• Purity Rings
• James Avery

How to Wear the Ring

Ideally, a commitment as strong as one tied to religious beliefs is similar to marriage, and a religious commitment ring should be worn on the ring finger of the left hand. If the individual wearing the ring is already married, however, the ring may instead be worn on the right hand. Because this type of spiritual promise is meant to be long term, if not lifelong, the ring should be worn continuously, though it will need to be removed for periodic cleanings and other necessary care.

A religious promise ring can be a beautiful way to symbolize one’s commitment to spiritual ideals and religious beliefs. While the practice of religion is a private, personal matter, an attractive ring can be a simple, elegant way to share those beliefs with the world.