Rings

[doghandler]

What is the significance of which finger you wear a ring on (as a man)?

I appreciate that the wedding ring goes on the ring finger left hand, but other than that.

Is it a gay thing to wear a ring on the pinky?

[jills]

Gay thing??? Really?  That would be most of the royal family males then, and a lot of upper class twits that I've met in my time.   

Why can't folk just wear a ring on any finger they chose, without any hidden significance to some section of the population?  (Ditto earrings, eyebrow peircings etc).  What a load of p1sh.  Personally, I'm not a fan of pinkie rings, but I think that's due to bad experiences with the owners of said pinkies.....

[incitatus]

Also the notion that men wear wedding rings is far from universal.  I dont, and no-one in my family does.  The male wedding ring is a recent import to the UK, as the Book of Common Prayer makes clear, only one ring was involved in 1665 and she got it.

[Octavius]

For those logical souls, the 3rd finger is the most practical one for wearing a ring.  Protected by fingers on either side, and not as active as the first two fingers and thumb, it is a safe haven for jewelry.  A more romantic notion is the ancient belief in a "vena amori," or vein of love, running from the 3rd left finger to the heart.  Historically, it was a binding gift from a man to a woman (it used to ropes or leather straps bound around the arms!!) but more recently men have started wearing them too.

According to one source:  the finger you wear your ring on tells people about you. Your thumb is your willpower finger. If you wear your ring on your thumb some view you as one with a strong will. If you wear your ring on your index finger (the finger next to the thumb), your ring is on your authority finger. You may be one that likes to have things your way or you're someone of high political or social standards. Your ring finger (right next to the pinkie) is your creativity finger. I wear my ring on my ring finger. I'm quite creative. You have a wide imagination. Your little (pinkie) finger is your relationship finger. You are open and loving.

Maybe a man wearing a ring on his pinky and appearing 'open and loving' is sub-contiously associated with femininity and therefore not quite masculine.  It's just peoples interpretation.

 

[niknak]

Just gets more and more  curious-I think there may be an MA in Arch to study finger rings and those 3rd digi's

[WaldoMcFroog]

The about pinkie rings being a gay signifier is that back when homosexuality was illegal, gay people mean needed to find ways to identify themselves to others of the same persuasion. Hence, 'Polari' the gay code (used openly in the radio show Round the Horne), the use of handkerchiefs in pockets and doubtless the pinkie ring.

[newtron]

Octavius, what about your middle finger (between the index and ring finger)?

[Octavius]

A ring worn on the middle finger shows the person has a strong materialistc streak to their nature.

In Ireland up until the 20th century (but perhaps still going on), a widow would transfer all the rings on her wedding finger to her middle finger.

[Octavius]

Waldo, many symbols have been used by the gay community throughout history.  If anyone has a red tie... or a pink hankie..or even (heaven forbid) a pinky ring.  It is just peoples perceptions and memories of out-dated modes.  I like green, but may have chosen not to wear the colour in ancient Rome or in London in the 19th century...

 http://www.swade.net/gallery/symbols.html

[WaldoMcFroog]

"Waldo, many symbols have been used by the gay community throughout history." Er... I know. That's what I was saying, in answer to the question 'is it a gay thing to wear a ring on the pinky'.

[PunkDaddy]

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[Laura-sakura]

I think men who wear any kind of jewelery look kind of gay

[HederaHelix]

The thing about the middle finger symbolising a materialistic streak in your character is correct... after all, I wear my ring there, and I am VERY materialistic!