Doctoral ring

The tradition goes back to the middle ages, when the ring was supposed to symbolize the bond between the doctor and the sciences.

[1] Together with the doctoral hat or laurel wreath, it forms part of the academic regalia in Sweden.

The doctoral rings from the universities of Oslo and Bergen have decorations resembling a harp and the family weapon of Wilhelm Frimann Koren Christie, respectively.

The current design was created by medallist Harald Conradsen in 1866 and features a gold plate with a portrait of Pallas Athena surrounded by a laurel wreath.

The ring is not awarded as such, but the doctoral title enables the recipient to purchase the figured plate from the University of Copenhagen which is the facilitator of this service.