Pagan symbolism: Germanic oath rings & bracelets

Rings and arm rings played a prominent role in Germanic cultures, as evidenced by both archaeological findings and textual sources describing their customs and beliefs. They were primarily associated with wealth and even functioned as a form of currency in the early Middle Ages. Additionally, rings had an important function in the taking of sacred oaths, which were often dedicated to or witnessed by the gods.

The sacredness of rings is also evident in Germanic mythology, where the giving of rings played a central role in 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 giving of rings as gifts and the swearing of oaths are examples of these enduring traditions.

Germanic oath rings and bracelets fulfilled a similar role as the torques worn by other Indo-European peoples, such as the Scythians, Illyrians, Thracians, Celts (Gauls), and sometimes even the Romans. Early Germans and Vikings also wore torques. During the Migration Period, however, torques were replaced by arm rings, which were then preferred. Yet, torques made a comeback and became popular again during the Viking Age.

The Indo-European peoples had a strong oath-bound culture in which their pagan religion was 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 called it "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 such as the Norns, Matres, and Moirai watched over 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, which were established by agreements and confirmed with an oath. Torques and upper arm bands likely functioned as oath rings, symbols of the oath the wearer made to a person, deity, or tribe.

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 such as rings, and by accepting these, they pledge to remain loyal to their lord. This practice emphasizes that the cultural value of this exchange is more important than the material value of the ring or other treasures.

For example, King Hrōðgār demonstrates his responsibilities by distributing rings during feasts at Heorot, underscoring his justice and generosity. This stands in sharp contrast to Heremod, a king of the Danes, who did not give rings to his vassals. He is described as unjust and greedy, which ultimately led to his downfall.

The symbolic significance of rings as royal gifts remained important 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 relationship between kings and rings also appears in the Swedish Svíagriss, an ancestral ring of the Ynglings, meaning "Swedish piglet." The connection between pigs and the Ynglings is further reflected in helmets shaped like boars and their descent from the god Frey, who is closely associated with this animal. This suggests that the ring represents 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 loyalty. Oaths could be sworn without a physical exchange of property taking place. In the Hávamáll tells Odin that he has broken a ring oath (baugeið), which casts doubt on his reliability. This underscores the crucial role of the ring as a symbol of binding within the oath.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle mentions an event from 876, in which 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 that lay on altars in North Germanic pagan temples, where oaths were sworn. During rituals, such as blóts, these rings could be sprinkled with the blood of sacrificed animals, further emphasizing the sanctity of the ring. The stories about oath rings show a wide range of sizes, from small rings of about 50 grams, as described in the Landnámabók, to larger rings of about 550 grams, as mentioned in the Eyrbyggja saga at a temple of Thor.

Neck rings are extensively described in the account of Ibn Fadlan about the Rusvik Vikings, in which he mentions that women wore multiple silver or gold rings, each ring representing a value of 10,000 dirhams in metal. These rings functioned as portable wealth, although 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 used similarly as hack silver , whereby they were cut into pieces for financial transactions. These rings often show notches, which are generally attributed to checks on the purity of the metal. The weight of intact arm and neck rings always corresponds to multiples of trading units, confirming their function as portable currency.

Like the Rusvik rings, which were standardized to the value of the dirham, weights have been found in Sweden that correspond to both Scandinavian and Islamic units, indicating an integration of trading systems. Furthermore, dirhams from the early Middle Ages have been found in England and Scandinavia, which were used in the precious metal economy or melted down into bars. The economic value of rings is also highlighted in the Prose Edda, which mentions Fróði's Peace. It is stated that a gold ring could be laid on the heath of Jelling without being stolen, testifying to the absence of crime at that time.