Rings worn on this finger look elegant and striking, even when they are very delicate bands. Ancient craftsmen designed accessories of all kinds for the thumb with an unlimited amount of materials, only for those who were dexterous, responsible and of character.
The earliest known use of thumb rings dates back to Egyptian times. Various evidences in ancient mummies point to leather ornaments tied to the thumb as protective amulets, common among priests and people in positions of command. They were iconic pieces for warriors, especially archers skilled in the use of ranged weapons. Over time, the occupation became less frequent, but the significance of people skilled with their hands using thumb rings remained.
Unconsciously we tend to associate the grip finger with strength, both of character and spirit. Some wealthy men and women wore multiple accessories on the thumb, which, requiring more materials, quickly became synonymous with economic and social status. Being related to the finger of character, it is easy to identify these rings as synonymous with power. This unique piece of jewelry is more than a simple fashion statement: it has many meanings including signifying status to a classification of one's sexual orientation.
Throughout history the thumb ring has signified a rank of status among men, with the most ornate and heaviest rings signifying among the most powerful. In China, thumb rings were made of jade or glass and were a sign of a military rank. Thumb rings were used by men in archery to protect the skin against injury. Composed of wood, ivory, metal, plastic, glass or stone, thumb rings for archery were often massive in size and shape.
It is believed that wearing a thumb ring signifies strength, independence, and individuality. As a piece of jewellery, it sits neither at the traditionally "feminine" nor "masculine" end of the spectrum. It is casual yet delicate. Vaguely practical, and faintly erotic. By wearing a thumb ring, you're saying, "I like my hands to look pretty, yes, but I also know how to use them.
What could be more lesbian than that? A lot of lesbian and bi women I speak to can't pinpoint when or why the thumb ring became a queer signifier.
It's kind of like a word-of-mouth folk tale, but visual. Just one of those things that gets passed on from lesbian to lesbian, until the thumb ring itself becomes inherently lesbian, or queer. I think minimal jewellery is definitely a queer thing for women. Like, just one or two 'statement pieces'. And so, the ring story went on. The symbolism, meanings, and customs of how people were wearing rings in the past can confuse people in the modern society of the 21st century.
However, these customs often had a hidden meaning and sent a specific message. People have often been convinced that a thumb ring can chase away spells, misfortunes, and sickness throughout history. You can even find designs and symbols on some rings to support the fight against dark soldiers and terrible scourge. These ancient symbols have lingered on until nowadays. Therefore, you can often see heavy-metal fans showing so-called horn-hand gestures with rings on their thumbs.
The primary purpose is to scare evil spirits. It was the way to honor the late husband and to remember him. The thumb ring used to represent commitment and forever lasting love. As such a symbol, the widow would wear it on her thumb. The thumb as a finger is a bit unique and on its own. Therefore, it represents individualism. Two eminent Gods from Greek mythology were relevant to the thumbs. First, it was the Poseidon, the God of oceans.
He led a different kind of life from other Gods on Olympus. Another one was a divine hero Heracles, a fighter against chthonic monsters. As you could notice, both were distinguished and independent individuals with a distinctive style of life and strong characters. Consequently, it was believed that people could connect their personalities to these strong characteristics if they wear a thumb ring. The applicable and practical use of the thumb ring has been relevant throughout history and nowadays in archery.
Therefore, a person wearing a specific thumb ring has traditionally been a professional archer or a hunter.
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