Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on a lexicon (vocabulary specific to a certain subject) of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words. Ludic is defined as “playful, in an aimless way” and that’s my plan for approaching this challenge – keeping my feet on the joy trail and meandering wherever the daily word takes me.
P is for…
posy – (archaic) short motto or line of verse inscribed inside a ring
Knowing my obsession with flowers (anthomania), you might sensibly think that’s the reason for my attraction to posy rings. But it actually has more to do with my fondness for secret or hidden messages.
Posy rings (also spelled posie, posey, or even poesy) derived their name from the French “poésie,” meaning poem, or short rhyme.
They became popular in the late Middle Ages, transitioning into the Renaissance period. In earliest times the rings had the words engraved on the outside of the band, but it shifted to the inside.
As religion was an extremely important part of everyday life in medieval times, it was common for the rings to have religious text, as well as words of love or even friendship. I’ve seen it suggested that posy rings were also exchanged between religious houses and kingdoms in shows of support. But most commonly it was a more personal exchange. Posy rings were typically given to honor devotion to a loved one, and very often served as engagement or wedding rings. But the rings also served as a symbol of personal devotion to one’s duty and purpose in life, including showing devotion to God.
Posy rings were expensive, most often made of gold. In time the ability to choose or to write a posy became one of the literary exercises expected of an education person.
Lucky Londoners have close access to a couple of important collections of posy rings – the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. I think it would be great fun to visit both.
I really do like to wear blessings/prayers/intentions. I think of it as prayer in motion. I so love these words of Hafiz:
“What we speak becomes the house we live in.”
I like the idea of wearing soul language on my personal body/soul house as well.
I have posy ring. It’s inscribed “Rose of Union.”
I’m never without an arm full of bangles on which are engraved on one surface with snippets of poetry that mean a great deal to me. You can see them on one of my apothecary chests below. I truly only remove them on occasion to polish them, or when I’m forced to go through a metal detector.
I have a couple pairs of earrings engraved with special words, and it amuses me to think these messages are whispering to me whenever I wear them. But one my favorite things to do is writing messages on the soles of my feet. I love knowing I’m leaving secret messages wherever I step.
I consider all these message reminders as touchstones helping me access the truth of I am. They certainly hold energetic hints leading me back to remembering in those times I forget.
What about you? Wear things with messages? Have a favorite quote or poem snippet you’d consider carrying as a reminder? Ever seen an antique posy? Do tell – you know I’d love to hear.
The only inscriptions I have seen in rings are those with initials or names, and dates such as weddings. I didn’t know that posy was the saying, I thought is was always a flower! In fact, I called my P post “Pretty, Pretty Posies.”
I’d have to think a while to decide what I’d want inscribed. Probably a line of favorite poetry. Probably from Edna St. Vincent Millay. Or Christina Rossetti. Or… yes, I’d have to think awhile!
LOL – yes, so many choices. What a delectable dilemma. I’ll be popping over to see your posy post – I can never get enough of flowers.
How interesting to write messages on your soles. Love the ring.
Everything is a potential message carrier in my world. 🙂
oh my Deborah you are no end of surprises
I only knew posy as a small delicate bouquet a love message yes and now there are secret words walking past me on the street dangling in ears and bangles sending out coded vibrations.
well hallelujah I say what a grand notion
thank you for opening my eyes to this possibility of intent walking ..
Coded vibrations and intent walking – you have such a fabulous way with rods Sandra. And yes, yes, yes to all the secret messages whispering to us – may they always bring joy and light.
I love the ring, and the idea of carrying secret messages in jewelry 😉
Secret messages are wonderful aren’t they?
OK, now that’s a great idea! Writing words on the bottoms of my feet… I can’t tell you how excited I am to try that!
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
That’s fabulous Beth!
You’ve taught me about a brand new wonderful thing, this posy. I wonder if tattoos could be considered a form of posy if they aren’t seen while wearing clothes? I don’t have tattoos but I know they carry special meanings for the wearers.
My “P” song for the day:
http://tao-talk.com/2021/04/19/a2z-2021-jethro-tull-songs-day-16-pibroch-cap-in-hand-from-songs-from-the-wood-1977/
Interesting thought! There’s so much to say about tattoos I’m genuinely surprised someone isn’t doing their challenge series on the topic.
Hari OM
I have seen posy rings – both ancient and modern, though do not have any such thing myself. For all my love of poetry/scriptures, to carry them on my body in any form would not occur to me – that they be inscribed on my memory is my priority. I do think that letters and the sounds they create represent a vibration and we can use that for our betterment, so am intrigued with your ‘sole writing’!!! YAM xx
I very much believe that working with, attuning, and finding resonance with vibrational signatures is powerful.
I like this and enjoy that feeling of having a secret close to my heart. When my husband died, my girls got me a beautiful bracelet with my name engraved on the front, and his inside. It’s comforting to wear it and have no one else know it’s there. My late dad’s wedding ring had both their names engraved inside too and possibly something else. I’ll have to ask my brother since he wanted to have the ring.
What a lovely gift from your daughters!
I always thought “posy” or posey meant a small bouquet of flowers. Learn something new every day!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
I’m a hopeless fan of obscure and archaic words, and I feel like I learn something every day too.
Posy rings sound like a lovely idea. I don’t think I actually wear anything that has a message, quote or poem on it. While not exactly the same, my mother had a cartouche necklace that she wore all the time. It was special to her. Weekends In Maine
I love hearing about people’s special jewelry, and your mother’s piece sounds wonderful. I have a cartouche, paper though, that contains my name written in hieroglyphics. I find it fascinating.
It would be really fun to visit one of those collections! Such a neat idea. I used to collect favorite quotes and poems in a little book, but not on jewelry…
The Multicolored Diary
Your comment makes me think about a favorite bookbinder of mine who bound her favorite quote in a tiny tiny book and wore it as a pendant. How fun is that?
This is so interesting I have seen rings with inscriptions but never with verses! Yes I have seen and worn bangles with chants.
Another popular one is wearing a dupatta worn by brides- that is a kind of veil -with prayers embroidered on the edges. It looks beautiful and I somehow its a blessing…
Oh, what a beautiful tradition – prayers embroidered on the edges! I’m learning so many wonderful new things – it makes my heart very happy.
Your arm full of bangles and this posy ring created a song sequence in my head as I read your post Deborah. What can I say? I was brought up on a healthy diet of Bollywood fantasy:)
And your sole art reminded me of the Indian tradition of applying red colour (alta) to the soles of the feet, especially during festivals, for wedding rituals and by dancers. Here’s a link if you’d like to explore more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alta_(dye)
A dear friend once gave me a pendant in the shape of a famous Hindi line from a song which would read: ‘I’m a traveller, friends’ if translated. I love it.
This year another friend gave me a lovely pendant with A inscribed at the back.
My most prized inscription, however, is a silver necklace carved out in this Arabic phrase: “This beauty is my life” from a song by the famous Egyptian musician, Abdel Halim Hafez.
Your jewelry sounds wonderful – such precious sentiments! The idea of wearing “This beauty is my life” feels so powerful.
Thank you for the introduction to alta. I’m familiar with henna and mehndi, but alta is new to me. And your mention really has me smiling with the synchronicity of it. Although I see it’s now made with synthetic dyes, it was originally from lac. A friend and I were just discussing natural dyes and she was telling me about paper she had seen dyed with lac. The images of alta are gorgeous.
Hi Deborah – how delightful to read about Posy rings … I’ll definitely look for them when I next go to the Ashmolean and the V+A again … thanks for this … such a pleasure to read. Happy memories indeed – cheers Hilary
I’ll enjoy thinking of you visiting Hilary.
a message on the soles (souls) of my feet … reminds me of ‘diamonds on the soles of her shoes’ – Paul Simon. I love this idea. I’m not doing the A-Z but stopping by at a few as time permits Deborah ..
I love Simon’s song, and you have me cranking it up for my morning play list. The A-to-Z a huge commitment of time and energy, and this year especially seems like there’s less of both. Thank you for stopping by Susan, and I hope you find little nourishing gems wherever you look.
I was not aware of the name Posy for that use!
Glad to have introduced you to this archaic definition.