What are Purity Rings?

Purity rings have become popular in recent years, in a large part due to the promotion by several Christian groups including the Jonas Brothers. They’ve even become popularized by the fact that some Christian celebrities wear and talk about purity rings. However, many people don’t really know what purity rings are all about, what they symbolize and their relationship to Christianity.

To a large extent, the trend of wearing a purity ring first took off in the 1990s, about the same time that Christian t-shirts started to become popular. It was around then that many Christian groups encouraged their younger members to wear the rings as a symbol of their commitment to remain abstinent until marriage. But this is not a new tradition, a similar tradition dates back much farther than the 90s, when nuns would wear a ring to symbolize their commitment not only to abstinence, but to God as well. More recently the focus has been on the teenagers and pre-teens who have decided to wear these rings to symbolize their purity before marriage and their dedication to their Christian faith.

It is quite common for there to be special ceremonies are held for young people who are receiving their purity ring as a gift from their parents. Often, the ceremonies are attended by fathers and daughters. During this celebration, the young women are reminded of the importance of the sanctity of marriage and how they will benefit from choosing to abstain from sex until they find someone who they will spend the rest of their life with. It’s a very special moment in both a parent’s and a young person’s life.

While these ceremonies are often centered on young women, there are also many young men who make the decision to wear a purity ring and make a commitment to be celibate until marriage. In both cases, the ring is usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand to symbolize the choice they are making. It’s a very powerful decision that is directly related to the teen’s Christian faith. Whether a boy or a girl is wearing a purity ring, they will undoubtedly encounter temptation during their teen years and before their marriage. The purity ring is a constant reminder of their commitment and the values instilled in them by their Christian upbringing.

Because a purity ring is a special gift, many parents choose to purchase a ring for a child with some kind of inscription, such as “True Love Waits” or “Pure Before God.” These inscriptions help embolden the teen to stay true to their vow throughout their young life.