Chastity Rings: Wearing a Promise
- Nov 11, 2014
- 3 min read
Q: What is a chastity ring? A: A chastity ring is a ring (sometimes called a purity ring) worn as a promise to God, yourself, and your future spouse that you will save your virginity for only your spouse – that you won't have sexual intercourse until after you are married.
Q: What does a chastity ring actually say about me? A: A chastity ring shows others that you are unashamed of being what some people see as 'the odd one out'. You are telling them that you are proud of your virginity. I also like to think of it as a sign for those with impure intentions to see and go running. If you already have laid out the rules before you date someone, they know what they will be getting...and if they want more than you are willing to give (your virginity before marriage), then they'll hopefully save you both time and look for someone else.
Q: How does a chastity ring help me? A: A chastity ring acts as a reminder of the promise you have made and are keeping. Every time you get tempted or question what you believe about your virginity and modesty, look down at the ring and remember that you have made a promise and that you should keep it.
Q: Are chastity rings only for girls? A: No! Although they are probably more commonly worn by girls, some guys wear them too. The ring reminds them of their promise to stay chaste until marriage and tells women that they're not that guy who will use them, but someone who is serious - someone who is looking for true beauty - not just a pretty face.
When I first picked out my chastity ring, one that I had spent hours looking for, I was so happy. But I had a slight dilemma. Should I wear it on my left hand or my right hand? I didn't want anyone to mistakenly think that I was married (not that anyone in their right mind would, seeing as I was almost 17 and looked like a 14 year old), but I also didn't want to not have my message get across by wearing it on my left hand. What if someone mistook it for a regular just-for-show ring? I spent months wearing it on my left hand, afraid that people would think that I was taken. I want to wait until I am married to have sex, but that doesn't mean that I want people to think I am not available at all. Eventually, I decided that wearing it on my left hand was the better option – and worth it. I want to be able to exchange one ring for another when I get married – the symbolism and love behind it is so powerful and beautiful that I couldn't fight it for long.
Here's my chastity ring and what it means to me:
The gems on the heart remind me that my heart is beautiful and priceless. And yet, there is not a lot of adornment, which can serve as a reminder to me of how outward beauty is not what matters. Every time I see the decoration above the heart, it looks like a bow to me – it looks the heart is wrapped as a gift, and it reminds me that my heart is a gift. And now for the hands: I am saving my beautiful, priceless heart as a gift for the one who will hold my heart.
When you pick out a chastity ring make sure it is something meaningful to you - not just something that looks pretty. The ring is all about a promise - so choose something that reminds you of your promise!
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