Namejs Ring

[1][2] The design and customs associated with it originated in ancient Latgalian lands, which is the easternmost of the four historical regions of Latvia.

[4] In 2018, Aigars Grauba produced a film called The Pagan King (Latvian: Nameja gredzens), which depicts an alternate version of the ring's legend.

[5] The Namejs ring has become a central figure in Latvian jewelry, due to its design and mythological significance.

[7] The name "Namejs ring" was not used before the 1920s, when two originals were found in ancient graves of Latgale and they become a popular kind of jewelry to imitate.

It has been determined that it would have been a very expensive item to own in the 12th century, as it is mostly made from silver and the manufacturing process was long and complex.

He fled into exile in Lithuania, but as a parting gift, he gave his son a twisted metal ring so that the boy would be recognizable by his father upon return.

Latvian writer Aleksandrs Grīns wrote a novel titled “Nameja gredzens” (“Ring of Namejs”) in 1928.

The three twisted silver parts symbolize the unity of three ancient Latvian lands - Kurzeme, Latgale and Vidzeme, that these days constitute the territory of Latvia.

[2] On June 8, 2009, the Bank of Latvia issued a new coin of 1 Latvian lats with the Namejs ring, which encloses the numeral 1, on the reverse.

[12] On January 17, 2018, attendees of the premiere included the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis, state officials, politicians, entrepreneurs and film crew.