Oath Ring

[sdba2271]

Could someone provide me with more info on oath rings. I'm told that they are either like torques or are even closed metal rings. I've seen one that was actually a martial arts tool for strengthening the hands that was solid brass and enclosed. What size should one be, metal? Are there any who make them? Any pictures of your oath rings.

[pinlighter]

I confess I have not even heard of these!!!! Are you sure they are a genuine ancient tradition???

[Lonnie]

I confess I have not even heard of these!!!! Are you sure they are a genuine ancient tradition???


Absolutly...

"Many times this object was the oath ring and this oath ring was a holy item in the hof. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle gives an example of the oath ring being used by the Danes in 876 and there is an account of a ring called Thor's ring on which oaths were sworn. Thor presided over the Assembly, which opened on Thursday (Thor's Day) in Iceland. In Eyrbyggja Saga the oath ring was described as being 20 ounces of silver. When not in use it lay on the stalli and during feasts the gothi wore it on his arm. In the description of Thórólf's hof in Iceland, the ring is described as being 2 ounces and was worn on the finger of the gothi during all assemblies. Like the description in Eyrbyggja Saga, this ring laid on the stalli of the hof when not in use.

In Landnámabók we have a very good description of the oath ring and its use. It was to be at least two ounces or more and when not in use it would lay on the stalli. As in the previous examples it was to be worn by the hof-gothi at all assemblies and here we find out that it was to be reddened by blood from the sacrificial animal before hand."

An oath ring doesn't need to be made of silver (but it would be nice). There are people who use ones made from wood and other substances that work just fine...

[Katia]

Anything round can be used as an oath ring, really.. It, blatantly put, is a ring you swear an oath on :D My husband and I said our vows to each other during our wedding while gripping the oath ring together. It seemed to really intensify the entire experience! Ours was hand-carved out of wood with runes down the side.....

[Asbrandsson OR]

Hello,

I wonder is there a place to buy a decent looking oath ring?

Asbrandsson OR

[pinlighter]

Anything round can be used as an oath ring, really.. It, blatantly put, is a ring you swear an oath on :D My husband and I said our vows to each other during our wedding while gripping the oath ring together. It seemed to really intensify the entire experience! Ours was hand-carved out of wood with runes down the side.....


I wonder, is this then the historical origin of the ordinary wedding ring????

[sdba2271]

Asbrandsson OR writes:
I wonder is there a place to buy a decent looking oath ring?

The only place I've seen them is on the Wyrd's Way website which is part of the NPKA. They are oak or ash rings. Frankly they're a bit on the expensive side. I'm sure one could be made much easier for alot cheaper.