Rings and arm rings played a prominent role in Germanic cultures, as evidenced by both archaeological finds and textual sources describing their customs and beliefs. They were primarily associated with wealth and even served as a form of currency in the early Middle Ages. Additionally, rings held significant importance in the swearing of sacred oaths, which were often dedicated to the gods or witnessed by them.
The sacrality of rings is also evident in Germanic mythology, where the gifting of rings was central to maintaining bonds between rulers and their followers. This cultural significance persisted, albeit to varying degrees, during and after the Christianization of the Germanic peoples. The tradition of gifting rings and swearing oaths are examples of these enduring practices.
Arm Rings and Torques
Arm rings and bracelets fulfilled a similar role to the torques worn by other Indo-European peoples, such as the Scythians, Illyrians, Thracians, Celts (Gauls), and sometimes even the Romans. Early Germanic tribes and Vikings also wore torques. During the Migration Period, torques were replaced by arm rings, which became the preferred ornament. However, torques made a comeback and regained popularity during the Viking Age.
Indo-European Dharmic Society
The Indo-European peoples had a strong oath-bound culture in which their pagan religion focused on the cosmic order. This order, the principle of harmony and balance in the universe, was seen as the law that governs everything. In Vedic thought, this concept is called "Rta," while the Greeks referred to it as "Kosmos." Rta is a dynamic force that regulates not only nature but also abstract matters such as morality. Maintaining balance in both nature and society was crucial. Acting in accordance with Rta, or according to "dharma," was essential for the well-being of both individuals and the community. Violating these cosmic laws, "adharma," led to chaos and disaster. Deities like the Norns, Matres, and Moirai guarded this order.
To preserve this cosmic order, society was divided into different classes: the religious and ruling class, the warrior class, and the working class. Each class had specific responsibilities, formalized through agreements and confirmed by an oath. Torques and upper arm rings likely functioned as oath rings, symbolizing the pledge made by the wearer to a person, deity, or tribe.
Oath Rings
In the epic poem Beowulf, the giving of rings plays an important role in strengthening the bond between vassals and their lord, who is referred to in the text as the "ring-giver." Thanes, or warriors, receive treasures like rings, and by accepting them, they pledge loyalty to their lord. This practice emphasizes that the cultural value of this exchange was more significant than the material value of the ring or other treasures.
King Hrōðgār, for example, demonstrates his responsibilities by distributing rings during feasts in Heorot, highlighting his justice and generosity. This contrasts sharply with Heremod, a Danish king who did not give rings to his vassals. He is described as unjust and greedy, ultimately leading to his downfall.
The symbolic meaning of rings as royal gifts remained significant even after the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an English king is described as a generous ring-giver (Old English: beaggifa), a term also used for Jesus in the Old Saxon Heliand. The connection between kings and rings is also evident in the Swedish Svíagriss, an ancestral ring of the Ynglings, meaning "Swedish piglet." The association between pigs and the Ynglings is further reflected in helmets shaped like boars and their descent from the god Frey, who is closely linked to this animal. This suggests that the ring represented a symbolic connection between the Swedes and the boar.
In the context of swearing loyalty to an Anglo-Saxon or Old Norse ruler, rings were not only seen as material objects but also as symbols of fidelity. Oaths could be sworn without the physical exchange of property. In the Hávamál, Odin states that he broke an oath sworn on a ring (baugeið), casting doubt on his reliability. This underscores the crucial role of the ring as a binding symbol in the oath.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle mentions an event from 876, where the Danes swore a peace oath on a sacred ring (hâlgan beage) to King Alfred after his victory at Wareham. This shows how rings were used to ensure loyalty and stability in political relationships.
In various sagas, such as the Eyrbyggja Saga and the Víga-Glúms Saga, rings are described lying on altars in North Germanic pagan temples, where oaths were sworn. During rituals like blóts, these rings could be sprinkled with the blood of sacrificed animals, further emphasizing the sacredness of the ring. Stories about oath rings describe a wide range of sizes, from small rings weighing about 50 grams, as mentioned in the Landnámabók, to larger rings of about 550 grams, as noted in the Eyrbyggja Saga at a temple of Thor.
Viking Arm Rings, Rings & Torques
Neck rings are extensively described in Ibn Fadlan’s account of the Rus Vikings, where he notes that women wore multiple silver or gold rings, each ring representing a value of 10,000 dirhams in metal. These rings served as portable wealth, though the estimated value was likely exaggerated due to the impractical weight.
In Scandinavia and in areas with significant Scandinavian influence, such as Great Britain and Ireland, arm and neck rings were similarly used as hacksilver, being cut into pieces for financial transactions. These rings often show notches, typically attributed to tests of metal purity. The weight of intact arm and neck rings always matches multiples of trading units, confirming their function as portable currency.
Just like the Rus rings, which were standardized according to the value of the dirham, weights found in Sweden correspond to both Scandinavian and Islamic units, indicating an integration of trade systems. Furthermore, early medieval dirhams found in England and Scandinavia were either used in the precious metal economy or melted down into bars. The economic significance of rings is also highlighted in the Prose Edda, which mentions Frodi’s Peace. It states that a golden ring could be laid on the heath at Jelling without being stolen, illustrating the absence of crime at that time.