Právněhistorické studie / Legal History Studies (Charles University journal; below referred to as PHS or Journal) is a scientific journal listed in the international prestigious database SCOPUS. The journal is published by Charles University in Prague under the guarantee of the Department of Legal History of the Faculty of Law of Charles University. It is published by the Karolinum Press. The journal focuses on the field of legal history and related topics.
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PRÁVNĚHISTORICKÉ STUDIE, Vol 56 No 1 (2026), 9–19
ArticlePrsteň a jeho symbolika v rímskom práve
[Ring and Its Symbolism in Roman Law]
Veronika Čunderlík Čerbová
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14712/2464689X.2026.185
published online: 22. 04. 2026
abstract
The paper analyzes the symbolism of the ring within the context of Roman law, with particular emphasis on legal sources, especially the Digest. In Roman society, the ring assumed multiple layers of meaning – ranging from a mark of personal honor to an instrument of legal acts, and an indicator of socio-economic status. In the domain of private law, the ring functioned as a seal used in the authentication and validation of wills and other legal transactions. Special attention is devoted to betrothal rings, which, although lacking legal significance under Roman law, expressed a moral commitment and, under the influence of Christianity, evolved into a symbol of fidelity. Thus, the ring in Roman law fulfilled several roles – property-related, legal, and cultural-symbolic. The aim of this contribution is to systematically identify and interpret legal norms and precedents in which the ring appears as a legally significant element.
keywords: : ring; betrothal ring; signet ring; Roman law; symbol; the grant of the gold ring
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