The ring, in our culture, is an emblem of love and commitment. It carries a strong association with marriage and engagement, but can also symbolize friendship, fortitude, and faith. It has been worn by men and women since ancient Egypt, and in many cultures as a mark of status. It is also worn as a sign of protection, to honor a particular achievement, or to show curiosity and openness to the world.
Rings have been studied mathematically since the 1870s, with early important work by Dedekind, Hilbert, Fraenkel, and Noether. Rings are generalizations of domains that occur in algebraic number theory, and they have proved useful in other branches of mathematics as well, such as geometry and analysis.
We are also learning more about planetary rings with spacecraft flybys of Jupiter and Saturn and, more recently, by observing the rings of Uranus and Neptune. Many new puzzles have been raised, and we still don’t fully understand all the mysteries of ring structure, but many intriguing details are becoming clearer.
The most common use of the word ring in our language is in connection with jewellery, especially rings that are worn on the finger of the left hand (Mercury). People who wear rings on this finger indicate their interest in communication and social connections. They may be influenced by other people’s opinions, and they are good negotiators. They can be very intuitive and may choose a ring or stone that is meaningful to them personally.
A ring can also refer to an enclosed area where a sport or performance takes place, such as a boxing match or a circus. It is often fenced in to prevent spectators from leaving, and the participants perform or compete within it.
People sometimes wear several rings to balance or offset each other, and some even wear rings on all fingers, indicating their openness to many different influences. These individuals may be more receptive to the thoughts and opinions of other people, and they are not afraid to take risks in life.
There are other meanings of the word ring, such as a group of people who cooperate to accomplish a task or an activity, or the sensation that something has a resonant sound or feel to it. The ringing in the ears is caused by an inner ear problem known as tinnitus, which can be treated with over-the-counter medicines or with surgery.
The setting and style of a ring help to enhance its beauty, with the type of setting determining how a diamond looks in a given design. For example, a prong setting uses metal claws to hold the diamond, while a bezel setting encircles it with a band of metal. The style of a ring can also be determined by the number of stones it features, whether it is a single solitaire or a symbolic trio. Lastly, the type of material that a ring is made from can affect its durability and cost.