men with rings

[grain of mustard]

Is there any guidance on wearing rings? Sometimes we see brothers wearing Gilead graduation rings. Here, the ring has a purpose. But if a man doesn't have any graduation degrees, and he simply bought a ring to wear, is that normal or is it interpreted as ostentation? I'll take this opportunity to give my opinion. From time to time, a brother appears on the platform, or not, wearing a ring on his hand. It's a small piece of jewelry, but it always attracts attention. Perhaps it's because it's not customary for men to wear rings, but rather for women. Some of these brothers, I know, don't have any graduation degrees. So why did they decide to wear a ring? Of course, it's a personal decision. But aside from that, isn't it meant to attract attention? I know an elder who gave a speech, and from afar you could see a gold ring on his finger, with a shiny stone. After that, I saw this same speaker giving speeches several more times, but never again wearing a ring. Yesterday at my convention, I greeted an elder who was wearing a ring. It was a gold ring. It didn't seem to be a graduation ring. As I said, this is rare, but every now and then I see some brothers venturing into wearing this small ornament. I wonder: doesn't wearing a ring set a precedent for wearing a necklace or bracelet? Unless it's for graduation, is there a difference between wearing a ring on one's finger and wearing a necklace or bracelet? Is it just me, or would other brothers also consider it a show-off attitude? I appreciate your opinions here on the forum. Let's maintain balance and peace regardless of everyone's opinion. Thank you.  

[GodlyDevotion]

Is there a Bible principle that wearing rings would violate? Is wearing rings negatively perceived in your locality? 
 

I tend to classify rings in the same category as watches. I don’t find anything wrong with wearing them. In fact, I find them tasteful when worn in moderation, perhaps one or two rings.

 

And if you have established that it is a matter of personal decision, what exactly is the problem then? 

[Paulus]

There isn't one universal meaning to a man wearing a ring on every finger of both hands. Meanings vary by culture, religion, fashion, and personal symbolism. However, traditionally, different fingers have been associated with particular ideas.

 

💍 Common symbolism by finger

 

Finger Traditional meaning

 

Left thumb Willpower, independence, strength

Left index Authority, leadership, ambition

Left middle Responsibility, balance, identity

Left ring Marriage, commitment, love

Left little/pinky Family, communication, status; sometimes professional achievement

Right thumb Confidence, individuality, strength

Right index Leadership, authority, direction

Right middle Responsibility, balance, self-discipline

Right ring Commitment or relationship symbolism; in some cultures, marriage

Right little/pinky Intelligence, communication, personal achievement or social status

 

 

🖐️ Wearing rings on all ten fingers

 

When someone deliberately wears a ring on every finger, it can give a rather different impression. It may symbolize:

 

Individuality and self-expression — essentially saying, "I don't conform to conventional rules."

 

Power and confidence — particularly when large or distinctive rings are used.

 

Wealth/status — historically, multiple rings could indicate social position or prosperity.

 

Spiritual or symbolic beliefs — some people assign a particular meaning to every finger.

 

Fashion — increasingly, it simply represents a particular style.

 

Personal milestones — each ring might represent a person, achievement, memory, or important period of life.

 

Protection or spirituality — certain traditions associate particular stones, metals, or fingers with protection, planets or spiritual forces.

 

 

Something particularly interesting

 

There are traditions—especially involving palmistry and planetary symbolism—where each finger is associated with a different quality:

 

Thumb → will

Index → Jupiter → ambition/authority

Middle → Saturn → responsibility/wisdom

Ring → Sun/ Apollo → creativity/status

Little → Mercury → communication/intelligence

 

So, if a man is very deliberately wearing ten different rings, rather than simply wearing several rings as fashion, there could be a personal or spiritual system behind it.

From ChatGPT.

[carlos]

(Luke 15:22) . . .But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quick! bring out a robe, the best one, and clothe him with it, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 

(James 2:2, 3) . . .For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in splendid clothing comes into your meeting, but a poor man in filthy clothing also enters, 3 do you look with favor on the one wearing the splendid clothing and say, “You take this seat here in a fine place,” and do you say to the poor one, “You keep standing” or, “Take that seat there under my footstool”?

 

So in principle there is nothing wrong in men wearing rings. Now of course it depends of how that is viewed in your culture. There is nothing inherently wrong in a man wearing an earring either, but in my culture that would be frowned upon. 

 

A ring is just an ornament. I we wear one, do we do it to attract attention, or just to look nice? Since we cannot judge the reasons why others do things, we can just ask those questions to ourselves. 

[trottigy]

I've wore one for almost 40 years.

 

 

 

 

[booboo]

Jehovahs thoughts on the subject:  
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200003737#h=1:0-5:294

Worth a “look see”🧐

[minister159]

10 hours ago, grain of mustard said:

Sometimes we see brothers wearing Gilead graduation rings

We do? I didn't know there was such a thing. Do they all look the same? Are they bought and worn by the graduating brothers only. Are they given to them as a gift for graduating? 

[Hope]

10 hours ago, grain of mustard said:

Is there any guidance on wearing rings? Sometimes we see brothers wearing Gilead graduation rings. Here, the ring has a purpose. But if a man doesn't have any graduation degrees, and he simply bought a ring to wear, is that normal or is it interpreted as ostentation? I'll take this opportunity to give my opinion. From time to time, a brother appears on the platform, or not, wearing a ring on his hand. It's a small piece of jewelry, but it always attracts attention. Perhaps it's because it's not customary for men to wear rings, but rather for women. Some of these brothers, I know, don't have any graduation degrees. So why did they decide to wear a ring? Of course, it's a personal decision. But aside from that, isn't it meant to attract attention? I know an elder who gave a speech, and from afar you could see a gold ring on his finger, with a shiny stone. After that, I saw this same speaker giving speeches several more times, but never again wearing a ring. Yesterday at my convention, I greeted an elder who was wearing a ring. It was a gold ring. It didn't seem to be a graduation ring. As I said, this is rare, but every now and then I see some brothers venturing into wearing this small ornament. I wonder: doesn't wearing a ring set a precedent for wearing a necklace or bracelet? Unless it's for graduation, is there a difference between wearing a ring on one's finger and wearing a necklace or bracelet? Is it just me, or would other brothers also consider it a show-off attitude? I appreciate your opinions here on the forum. Let's maintain balance and peace regardless of everyone's opinion. Thank you.  

 

I know brothers who wear neck chains and bracelets, too. What of it? 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Ramoth]

Well, as has already been mentioned, there is no specific Bible principle involved here, except perhaps one related to the motivation behind the choice. Apart from that, there is nothing inherently wrong with a man using the object itself.

 

It is a matter of personal decision, but that decision should also be considered in light of how the congregation where we serve views the matter.

 

Let me share my own experience.

 

I have always liked rings, but for many years I avoided wearing them because I knew my congregation would not view them favorably.

 

Later, some elders moved to my congregation who wore rings themselves. This gradually made the congregation more accustomed to seeing appointed men wearing such ornaments. So, after some time, I felt comfortable wearing one myself.

 

If we think about it, many small things we consider perfectly normal could technically be described as “showing off” or “drawing attention to ourselves.”

 

Why continue wearing a nice watch when it is so much more practical to check the time on a smartphone? Why does a sister choose to wear earrings when she could simply go without them?

 

Often, the answer is simple: we wear them because we like them.

 

But, as with many other matters, we should take into account how the people around us view these things. And, as my own experience shows, that perspective can change when someone is willing to take the first step, especially when that first step comes from outside our congregation.

[AYMA]

Some of the GB, and other brothers who are featured in videos and talks are seen wearing rings in addition to wedding rings. Personal choice. Maybe in your area, it is less accepted.  

[grain of mustard]

1 hour ago, Hope said:

 

Conheço caras que também usam correntes no pescoço e pulseiras. E daí? 🤷🏽‍♀️

It's very good to know how things are done in other cultures. I've never seen a brother wearing a necklace. Some wear rings. Knowing how brothers think helps my mind better understand each person's individual decision. It's not a dispute about who is right. It's about information, knowledge, and respect for each other's customs and decisions.  

[grain of mustard]

1 hour ago, minister159 said:

Sério? Eu não sabia que existia isso. Todas são iguais? São compradas e usadas apenas pelos irmãos que se formam? São dadas de presente pela formatura? 

This information was once passed on to me by a circuit overseer. 

[grain of mustard]

10 hours ago, GodlyDevotion said:

Existe algum princípio bíblico que o uso de anéis violaria? O uso de anéis é visto de forma negativa na sua região? 
 

Costumo classificar anéis na mesma categoria que relógios. Não vejo nada de errado em usá-los. Aliás, acho-os de bom gosto quando usados com moderação, talvez um ou dois anéis.

 

E se você já estabeleceu que se trata de uma questão de decisão pessoal, qual é exatamente o problema então? 

A long time ago I saw some rings that also functioned as watches. I wear a watch and I like it very much too. There are watches at all price points. There are rings at all price points. Usually a man wears a gold or silver ring. Although there are rings that are costume jewelry. I don't remember seeing men wearing costume jewelry rings. Women wear costume jewelry rings. But men want gold, silver, or gemstone rings. A ring of that type is synonymous with wealth. That's how it works, that's how it is. In my old job, men who weren't Christian wore rings, chains, and bracelets. It was a status symbol of wealth. Maybe that's where this blockage comes from.