The jeweler appreciated Putin’s ring: will it become a symbol of the new “club of presidents”

Jeweler Mikhail K.

– Now, indeed, there has been a lot of talk about the awards to V.V. Putin to the presidents of the “rings of power” who came to the northern capital. Of course, this is a complete exclusive. However, it is difficult for me to determine the value, including artistic, of such presentations. After all, only their images are available to us. It is only clear that each ring has the symbols of the CIS, a large inscription “Happy New Year” and two smaller ones – “Russia” and “2023”. Nothing is known for sure about the material from which these jewelry pieces are made, however, apparently, this gold is yellow and white.

Of course, the rings are made to order – personally for each of the participants of this summit. In connection with this, I wonder: did they take any measure from the fingers of the presidents beforehand? And in general, are “Putin’s” rings designed to be worn on a particular finger of their owner? It is known from reports and publications, for example, that President Lukashenko immediately took advantage of the gift and put the ring on the ring finger of his left hand…

– Is this the correct location?

– In fact, men can wear rings on different fingers of both hands. Although historically there have been some patterns that determine the priority in a particular case.

For example, a ring on the thumb is already an anachronism. But in ancient times, this option was common and there was a completely utilitarian explanation: in this case, the ring (it had a special shape) created more convenience for a man when shooting from a bow.

In eras closer to us, one could often see a ring on the index finger of a representative of the stronger sex. Since then, it is believed that such an arrangement indicates that the owner of the ring is a very self-confident and even domineering person. Well, or at least trying to imitate authority and confidence. However, after some more time, the middle finger became a more popular place for “ringing”. It was on it that men preferred to wear a signet ring, so popular among them.

As for the ring finger, it is reserved for the wedding ring – among the “married”. However, even on their other hand, a similar finger is free, which means you can decorate it with another jewelry element. And bachelors have even more freedom of maneuver. Therefore, in the current case with Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko, I do not see any paradoxes.

There is, finally, an option with wearing rings on the little finger. It is often used by representatives of creative professions, as well as note-taking womanizer. But… There is a catch for them in this, which can make itself felt in a certain situation. After all, another group of men who prefer to wear a signet on the little finger is representatives of criminal and near-criminal structures.

But in general, regardless of the location of the ring (or rings) on the hand, for a man it has long been not just an ornament, but such a talisman, a talisman. And of course – an indicator of high social status. No less important, according to our distant ancestors, was the sacred component: in the old days, many believed that a ring with a certain pattern or a certain stone on it was able to protect its owner from diseases, from damage and the evil eye, to ward off bad people and, conversely, to attract good luck .

In addition, rings and rings were used in the old days as a kind of substitute for orders and other awards. In historical books, one can often find a mention that some nobleman or even a sovereign, in recognition of the merits of his subordinate, took off the ring from his hand and put it on the distinguished one.

We must not forget about another important function of the rings, which, however, has now become irrelevant. In the old days, rings with a secret were very popular with the medieval aristocracy. They had secret cavities where, for example, a portion of poison could be stored.

– In the case of rings – Putin’s current gifts, we can talk about their obvious corporatism. It will now be such a clear sign – a symbol of belonging to the “club of presidents”. Has there been a similar practice in the past?

– The practice of using rings and rings of a special kind to indicate belonging to a certain circle of the elite was very widely used in Europe, in America. Such jewelry was a kind of password by which members of various secret communities recognized each other. Well, or not so intriguing – members of some professional associations. It is known, for example, that from the 16th to the 19th century in England, special gold rings were awarded to everyone who was admitted to the Honorary Order of Advocates.

Separately, it should be said about the so-called Ring of the Fisherman. Since the distant XIII century, this is an indispensable attribute of every Pope.

– A strange name: where does the fisherman, if the ring is intended for the owner of the Vatican?

– The explanation is very simple. Such a ring always depicts a bas-relief of the Apostle Peter, whose representative on the earthly throne is the Vatican pontiff. But Peter, before Christ called him to follow him, was a fisherman, and the Savior told him: “You will be a fisher of human souls.”

When a new Pope ascends the Holy Throne, a new Fisherman’s Ring is made especially for him. Moreover, its future owner himself gives instructions on the design, and the name of the owner of the relic is engraved on the inside of the jewelry. A solemn ceremony is necessarily held, during which the cardinal-camerlengo puts it on the finger of the newly elected pontiff. The ring does not pass to the successor. Immediately after the death of the head of the Catholics, the trusted cardinal must break the Ring of the Fisherman that belonged to him with a special hammer right next to the body of the deceased.

– But why destroy a unique work of jewelry after the death of the Pope?

– The fact is that the characteristic bas-relief on the surface of the Ring was often used in past centuries as a personal papal seal, which certifies the authenticity of important documents sent from the Vatican. In order to avoid their falsification, only the signet ring worn by the new – current – Pope should have been left in the category of active ones.

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