Being a biker is not just a hobby. It is a lifestyle with the culture around it. It goes beyond simply riding a motorcycle. Everything about being a biker has a meaning or reason, from how they dress, to their accessories and especially their biker rings.
But what are biker rings? Where did they come from? What do they mean and why do bikers wear them? If you’ve been thinking of getting one and find yourself asking these questions, then you have come to the right place for answers.
In this post, we will share with you the essentials you need to know when it comes to biker rings. We will also share with you tips that will guide you when picking out a ring for yourself.
What Is a Biker Ring?
These are statement rings made of metal. Initially, the rings were made of metals like brass, bronze, or nickel with a yellow hue. Today, most of the rings are made of silver; it is rare to find brass and bronze pieces anymore. That’s mostly because the silver blends well with the rest of the biker’s gear.
Also, silver is cheap and requires less maintenance, unlike brass which needed constant polishing each time it tarnished. Another great alternative to silver is stainless steel.
It’s not as valuable as silver, but it also blends well with the monochrome of the bikers’ gear. Every once in a while, a biker may boast of a gold biker ring, but it’s rare because the yellow clashes with the rest of the biker’s colors.
The overall theme is elaborate and big. This is because initially, they were worn by large male bikers. In terms of designs, there are various themes in which the rings are curved. The most common themes are freedom, which includes eagles, wings, or wheels among others. Another common theme is death, which entails, skulls, skeletons, snakes, or Aztec Warriors among others.
If you’re more of goth, you can opt for knights, daggers, dragons, or crown designs. The general idea of the themes is that they relate to motorcycles, riding, and death.
Biker Ring Meaning.
Biker rings aren’t just accessories for bikers, they are a way of self-expression. Through these rings, bikers can communicate to the world who they are without saying a word. The rings also communicate the bikers’ beliefs and values. As such, biker rings have high symbolism and are significant in the biker culture.
To begin with, the biker rings are a representation of bikers’ superstitions about the universe and things like death, the afterlife, and karma. Bikers believe that certain symbols on their rings bring them good luck, protect them from danger or even scare away death. The skull for example is a very revered symbol in the bikers’ culture. It represents life and immortality and is believed to ward off death and keep the bikers safe as they ride. Other symbols like the number 7, a horseshoe, dragons, or totem animals, are believed to bring bikers good luck.
The rings also represent the bikers’ spirituality. It expresses their faith or paganism. Often a cross symbol on a biker’s ring shows they are Christians. To some, even the skull is considered a Christian symbol that is seen to represent the head of Adam. Therefore, while it is unorthodox to combine a skull and the cross, it is not taboo for bikers.
Bikers also use the rings to express their love for freedom and excitement in the face of danger. The rings communicate their worldview, which is that life is meant to be exciting and not filled with worry. If you think about it, motorcycles are more dangerous compared to cars, but they give you unprecedented freedom to indulge in your innermost desire without fear. Biker rings with symbols like eagles and wings are a good representation of this.
Biker Ring History.
Biker rings were said to have originated from Mexico when Pesos lost their value owing to the Mexican Revolution. As a result, Mexican blacksmiths melted them down and formed rings and other jewelry out of them. The rings became very popular among the bikers in Mexico and became known as Mexican Biker rings.
In the 1940s. these rings were discovered by American bikers who would ride to the border a couple of times. It was around the same time brass knuckles, which were popularly worn by bikers, became illegal in the US. Since the Mexican Biker rings resembled the brass knuckles, they became quite popular and sought after by American bikers too. They were seen to be the legal version of brass knuckles. Before long, the love of biker rings had spread beyond the bikers community to the rest of the world. Celebrities like Elvis Presley begun being spotted with them, and people around the world began collecting them.
Initially, the designs of the rings weren’t so elaborate. You’d commonly see symbols like horseshoes, skulls, anchors, and Indian chieftain heads. The rings were also mainly made of brass. Today, the ring has evolved with more elaborate designs and the common metal used now is silver. In the past, the rings were made in large sizes because a majority of the bikers were large men. Today, you don’t need large fingers to rock one of these biker rings, but it does take some time to get used to the bulkiness.
Why Do Bikers Wear Rings?
As we already mentioned, biker rings are more than an accessory to bikers. They hold significant meaning to them, which is the main reason why they wear them. Other than that, the following are other reasons why bikers wear these rings:
It’s a part of the bikers’ fashion style.
Bikers have a distinct fashion sense that many admire. It compromises of mainly leather attires and metal accessories, with the crowning piece being the metal biker rings. The whole idea behind their style is for them to look fearless and menacing. They want to instill fear in the onlookers and express their love for their machine. The large and elaborate biker rings help bring out this appeal which is why they are necessary for completing a biker’s look.
It is a form of expression.
As we mentioned, bikers express who they are through their rings. The rings not only express their personality but also represent what they stand for, their world view and superstitions. The rings are also an expression of a biker’s faith. A statement of whether they believe in God or not.
It helps customize a biker’s style.
Although there is a unifying style when it comes to bikers, each biker is an individual with different preferences. The biker ring is a great way of expressing those preferences and owning your biker’s style. You can add a little of your personality to the mix based on the symbols you choose to wear on the rings. Aggressive bikers, who enjoy violence, for example, will often be spotted wearing skulls, snakes, or Aztec warrior rings.
It is a great conversation starter.
Given the elaborate designs, biker rings are statement pieces that easily attract people’s attention. That makes them great conversation starters. Some may complement your ring or ask you the meaning behind the symbol or where you bought the ring from. So, if you’re ever at a loss for words, you can count in your biker ring.
What Fingers Do Bikers Wear Rings On?
When it comes to rings there are many unspoken rules in society about wearing them. For instance, there’s a rule that states not more than 2-3 rings can be worn on both hands including the wedding rings. Some also believe that the most active hand is meant for work and the dormant hand is where the jewelry should be worn.
When it comes to men, most of them wear their rings on the thumb, index finger, or small finger, except for the wedding ring worn on the left ring finger.
As for biker rings, however, all these rules don’t apply. The biker’s culture is anything but conservative, so no one rule fits all.
You can sometimes find bikers wearing rings on all their fingers on both hands. Others can wear three to four rings per hand, while some choose to wear one to two rings at a time.
It’s all a matter of preference for bikers when it comes to wearing their rings. The meaning and significance of the ring to the biker are what guides how they are worn.
Tip For Buying Biker Ring.
Like when buying any accessory, there is also a lot to consider when buying a biker’s ring. As a result, the buying process can be tasking at times. So, here are a few tips that will guide you to buying the right biker ring for yourself:
1.Consider your ring size.
Just because most biker rings come in big sizes doesn’t mean you can’t find one for yourself if you have a more average build.
All you have to do is take your time carefully looking through the choices. Try them on to see how it fits before buying.
You want to make sure the ring you get doesn’t just look good but also fits perfectly and is comfortable despite the weight.
2.Pick the theme you prefer.
You’ll often find bikers wearing skull symbols from their jackets to their rings. Sometimes they even have it tattooed on their bodies.
That doesn’t mean that the skull is the ultimate biker symbol. If you don’t fancy skulls then you can pick other themes for your rings.
There are other less brutal options like an eagle, wings, a cross, or a horseshoe which is considered lucky.
3.Think about your skin.
Most biker rings are made of silver, steel, nickel, and brass, but there are others made from gold and even ceramics.
Before buying the ring, think about how your skin will react to it. If you have sensitive skin or are sensitive to metal, you might want to choose rings made of hypoallergenic material.
That way your skin won’t react to the ring and you won’t risk getting scars.
Conclusion
There you have it, everything you need to know about biker rings. If you thinking of getting one for yourself, keep in mind the tips we shared with you. Remember the ring is an expression of who you are as a biker, so your preference is what matters most.
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Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.