The origins of popular superstitions and customs / by T. Sharper Knowlson.

  • Knowlson, T. Sharper (Thomas Sharper), 1867-1947
Date:
[between 1910 and 1919?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The origins of popular superstitions and customs / by T. Sharper Knowlson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    115/264 page 99
    The ring is essentially emblematic, a point which is quaintly stated by Swinburne in his Treatise of Spousals. “ The first inventor of the ring, as is reported [he cites Alberic de Rosa in suo Dictionar. V. Annulus], was one Prometheus. The workman which made it was Tubal-Cain : and Tubal-Cain, by the counsel of our first parent, Adam, gave it unto his Son to this end, that therewith he should espouse a Wife, like as Abraham delivered unto his servants bracelets and earrings of gold. The form of the Ring being circular, that is round and without end, importeth thus much, that their mutual love and hearty affection should roundly flow from the one to the other as in a Circle, and that continually and for everT History records variations in the use of certain fingers for wearing the ring. The Hereford, York, and Salisbury missals direct the ring to be placed on the thumb first of all ; then on the second finger, the third, and afterwards the fourth, “ where it is to remain.” A writer in the British Apollo (1708) answers a question;—“ Why is it that the person to be married is enjoyned to put a Ring upon the fourth finger of his spouse’s left hand ? ” It is answered, “ There is nothing more in this, than that the custom was handed down to the present age from the practice of our ancestors, who found the left hand more con- venient for such ornaments than the right, in that it’s ever less employed ; for the same reason they chose the fourth finger, which is not only less used than either of the rest, but is more capable of preserving a Ring from bruises, having this one quality peculiar to itself, that it cannot be extended but in company with some other finger, whereas the rest may
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