FINGER-RING LORE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22226, 28 September 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

FINGER-RING LORE

FOCUS OF SUPERSTITION VALUED AS TALISMANS SOME ANCIENT LEGENDS BY H. COLLF.TT In ancient times, as still to-day, rings had much significance as talismans against disease and danger. Not only was this power attributed to the ring 3 tself, but also to its composition, its device and the gems used. Thus the ring worn by the High Priest of Israel had many "heavenly powers'/ and that of Solomon was also most wondrous. Tradition has it that the ring was left by him in his bathroom, whence it was stolen by a Jewess who cast it into the sea, and, finally, it was recovered from the stomach of a newly-caught fish and returned to its owner. In one of his poems Chaucer alludes to this historic ring. Goseplius touches on another ring thfit held the curative virtues of that of King Solomon, and tells how, in tho presence of the Emperor Vesparian, ho witnessed tho healing of a man possessed of the devil, tho cure being effected by a Jew who applied the ring to the nostrils of the one affected. Arabian story-tellers make much use in their tales of rings conferring invisimlity. One of their chroniclers traces Solomon's ring as from tho father of Enoch to Solomon. Treasured as Sacred

The wedding ring of the Virgin Mary is treasured in the Chapter of the Chapel of Perugia, where it is exhibited to kneeling crowds only upon St. Joseph's Day. The ring is a plain circlet olr gold,'six times I:he thickness of the ordinary wedding ring of this day, and is kept in a casket of magnificent craftsmanship. Another remarkable ring, said to be of Indian work, was found 011 Fort Hill, at Montrose, where a battle was fought in the time of Mary Queen of Scots. It bears the symbol of Bal-nath, the sun-god, enwreathed in a " guardant" snake and supported by two bulls. This device represents the " Pillar Calf," which was worshipped by the Jews when they adopted the cult of " Bal," the sun. To this ring many talismanic powers are attributed. Asia has provided Europe with many legends in rings. In classics the derivation of rings is attributed to Prometheus who, owing to the , wrath of Jupiter, was compelled to wear an iron ring with a fragment of rock from the Caucasus attached thereto. A ring of gold and silver, bearing a portrait of Alexander the Gres.t, was supposed by the Greeks to be talismanic, as regards prosperity. Later, the practice of wearing similar rings became prevalent with the Christians of Antioeh, till a declamation from St. John Chrvsotom stopped it. Heliodomis describes a ring worn by the King of Ethiopia as an antidote against intoxication. Association With Happiness

The association ol: wedding rings with sentiment and happiness makes them of great interest. The shape is symbolical of eternity, and Bean Comber writes: " This ring is made of gold, signifying how noble and durable our affection is; the form round to imply our respect shall never have an end; the place is on the fourth finger, where comes a vein difectly from the heart." In the ancient Sanskrit drama of Kalidasa he emphasises how Dushyanta recognised his wife by means o:f a ring he had given her. Louis IX. of France, who, as a youth, married Marguerite of Provence, always ware a ring garlanded with lilies and daisies as an allusion to his wife and himself. A splendid sapphire, with which it was set, bore a crucifix and tho motto, " Hors cet annel pourrions iios trouver amour."

A document by Mary Queen of Scots, signed before the birth of her son James, bears on the back the inscription, "For the King who gave it me." Among her numerous-rings was one set with a diamond and enamelled red, which was her espousal ring, and which is considered to be the one used when Darnley marred her privately in Rizzio's chamber. At the public ceremony in the Royal Chapel, at Holyrood, throe magnificent rings were used. The smallest nuptial ring on record is mentioned in the record of the betrothal of Henry VIII.'s daughter, the Princess Mary, at two years of age, to the Dauphin of France. The Dauphin, eight months old, was represented by Admiral Bonriivet at the ceremony at Greenwich and Cardinal Wolsey placed the ring on the Princess' third finger after the E!ing and Queen had given their consent to the marriage. Some Historic Rings

To deal thoroughly with this fascinating subject would require a large volume indeed. The famous Water ton collection at Kensington Museum, London, contains rings of all nations, times and variety. Antiquarian rings, naturally attract us more greatly than the modern and prove of the greatest value to historians. Among the classical antique lings in the British Museum is a splendid intaglio of Hercules slaying Hydra, deeply carved in a sard.

In tho Staunton collection is a remarkable ring found among tho ruins of Kenilwortli Castle in 1825. It weighs over four dwts. and has the numerals " 87 " under a crown; the lettering is designated " Arabic," a script that ceased to bo used in Britain in 1000 A.D. This ring is supposed to be that used at tho coronation of Elizabeth, Queen of Henry VII. Another gold ring belonging tr, Mary Queen of Scots, has the hoop enamelled black; the setting consisting of a six-petalled flower with beautiful opals. Again at the museum of Stratford i? a gold signet ring of Shakespeare's, with tho inscription " W.S." entwined in a true-lover's-knot. A ring, cut out of a solid, pure quality emerald, with two emerald drops and rose diamonds with ruby borders was presented by tho Mogul Emperor Shah Shoojah to the East India Company, and purchased by Lord Auckland when Governor-General of India.