Rings in early Germanic cultures

They are notably associated with the related aspects of wealth, being used as forms of currency in the Early Medieval Period, and swearing sacred oaths, often dedicated to, or witnessed by, the gods.

The cultural roles of rings continued to varying extents during and after the Christianisation of the Germanic peoples, such as in gift-bestowal and oath-swearing.

[2] Rings are also depicted, both in picture stones, often on those relating to the story of Sigurð like the Drävle runestone, and on bracteates dating to the migration era.

Contemporary to this, in Scandinavia and areas with significant Scandinavian influence such as Britain and Ireland, arm and bullion rings were used in the same manner for hacksilver, where they would be cut up and used in financial transactions.

[8][9] The weights of intact arm and neck rings are always multiples of mercantile units, further supporting their usage as a form of wearable currency.

Consistent with the Rus' rings being standardised in line with a value of dirhams, in Sweden, weights have been found that are integers of both Scandinavian and Islamic units, suggesting an integration of the trading systems; dirhams have also been found in both England and Scandinavia dating to the Early medieval period, which would have been used as part of the bullion economy or melted down into ingots.

[18][note 1] The relationship with kings is also seen in the Swedish Svíagriss – an ancestral ring of the Ynglings whose name means "Sweden-piglet".

[22] The Anglo-Saxon chronicle records that in 876, the Danes were convinced to swear a peace oath on a holy ring (Old English: hâlgan beage) to King Alfred after his victory at Wareham.

[34][35] Gesta Danorum also describes a ring owned by Baldr that also brought wealth, and may reflect a shared tradition.

[34] Draupnir has been seen as the mythical counterpart to the temple ring and has been identified on Norwegian bracteates dating from the 5th–7th centuries CE, where it has been proposed to act as a symbol of Odin's power, and to have a role in legitimising the sacred right of kings to rule.

[34] Great wealth is also associated with Andvaranaut, a ring once owned by the dwarf Andvari and taken by Loki through coercion as weregild for his killing of Ótr.

Throughout the Völsunga saga, curse is fulfilled with the owners of the ring dying, including Otr's father Hreiðmarr, his brother Fáfnir (who becomes a dragon after claiming it) and the hero Sigurð.