What Does It Mean to Wear a Black Ring? Fashion, Sexuality & More

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Do black rings have a secret meaning?

Co-authored by NV Gay and Eric McClure

Last Updated: January 12, 2026 Fact Checked

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Black Ring Meanings

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Astrology

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History

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Symbolism of Black

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Other Swinger Signs

Black rings are having their moment: they’ve gone from a fringe jewelry option for goths and punks to a common and fashionable option for everybody. That said, there are a few fascinating and unexpected meanings associated with these rings—especially if they’re worn on a specific finger or hand. We’ll break down what a black ring could possibly mean in this article (and cover a few myths in the process).

Significance of Wearing a Black Ring

Wearing a black ring on the right hand may indicate the wearer is a swinger, but it can also mean the person considers themselves asexual (if it's on the middle finger, specifically). Black rings are often worn as a fashion statement, like stylish black wedding bands, and in some fringe cases may symbolize mourning.

Section 1 of 5:

What does a black ring mean?

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On the right hand, it supposedly means you’re a swinger. There’s a popular theory out there that swingers use special codes or symbols to indicate they’re open to meeting other couples. While a lot of those supposed symbols are kind of an urban legend, there is some evidence a lot of swingers wear a black ring to indicate they’re open-minded when it comes to who they and their partner have in their bedroom.^{[1]
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- This is by no means a universal symbol. While some swingers do wear a black ring on their right hand to let others know they’re members of the swinger community, a lot of (if not most) swingers don’t. It’s likely that a lot of swingers have never even heard of this particular symbol.
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On the middle finger of the right hand, can be a symbol of asexuality. If you’ve never heard of asexuality, it’s a sexual orientation where a person doesn’t experience sexual attraction to either gender. Asexual people often wear a black ring on the middle finger of their right hand as a sign of pride and community.^{[2]
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NV Gay
LGBTQIA+ Activist and Educator

Expert Interview} It’s also a way for asexual people to meet other asexual people in public, which can often be a challenge.^{[3]
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- Isn’t that the same hand as the swinger ring? Yes, and this has actually caused some minor mishaps between people in the past! Luckily, both asexual people and swingers tend to value consent and respect for different sexualities, so it usually isn’t a big deal.
- There isn’t any specific relationship between the color black and asexuality. The idea for the middle finger ring comes from a community thread that appeared on the Asexual Visibility and Education Network’s forum page in 2005.^{[4]
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On the left-hand middle finger, it could mean “forever single.” We found a few examples of people choosing to wear a black ring on the middle finger of their left hand as a symbol of self-acceptance that dating isn’t for them. The idea here is that the black ring on the finger next to the ring finger symbolizes that they’ll never wear a wedding band.^{[5]
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- This isn’t a particularly common meaning, but it is a documented choice made by some people who have grown tired of pursuing romantic relationships.
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On the ring finger of the left hand, it’s just a stylish wedding band. Black wedding rings have become quite popular in recent years. People have realized that they aren’t stuck choosing between the traditional silver and gold bands and that there are other fun options out there. Besides, not everyone likes shiny metal! A lot of people like the more subdued look of a slick, black wedding ring.^{[6]
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- Tungsten, onyx, titanium, zirconium, and carbon fiber are all popular options for black wedding rings.
- This is also the case for silicone rings. A metal ring is likely to get caught in heavy-duty machinery, which can cause a worker to lose a finger if something gets caught. Medical professionals also often opt for silicone because metal rings can tear gloves.
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Some people may wear a black ring to mourn and symbolize a loss. “Mourning jewelry” actually has a very deep, long history. It was most popular during the Georgian era (1714-1837) but has never actually gone away. The idea is that you’d change your jewelry from flashy and bright to dark and subdued as a way of expressing grief. Some people even continue to wear their mourning jewelry for years after the loss to continue remembering and honoring their loved one.^{[7]
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- Mourning jewelry is often black, but it doesn’t have to be exclusively black. A lot of antique mourning jewelry features amber, jade, and other “softer” materials that don’t shine as bright.^{[8]
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- A black mourning ring may be worn on any finger of either hand.
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Some black rings might actually be smart rings. Smart rings are the new rage; they track your heart rate, monitor your sleep quality, and check your oxygen levels to ensure you’re living a healthy lifestyle. Oura is the most popular brand right now, but Samsung, Ultrahuman, and Amazfit also sell a version of the same product. Notably, most of the smart rings are black.^{[9]
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- You typically wear a smart ring on your ring or index finger, so married people will often opt for their right hand.
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Many people wear them as a stylish fashion statement. In what we’d assume is the most common explanation for a black ring, they’re just in right now! Black jewelry is having its day in the spotlight, and a lot of people are wearing black rings just because they look cool.^{[10]
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- Black rings kind of stand out a lot of the time, so including a black ring in your wardrobe ensures you’ll always be able to stand out from the crowd as an individual!

Section 2 of 5:

Astrological Meaning of a Black Onyx Ring

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Black onyx is said to eliminate negativity for Capricorn and Leo. These signs have onyx as their natural birthstone, and black onyx is said to absorb negative energy and protect you from harm. It is also a practical stone that conveys simplicity and clarity.^{[11]
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- Gemini should avoid black onyx rings, as it is said to exacerbate feelings of isolation.
- It doesn’t matter which finger you wear the ring on.
- In Indian Vedic astrology, black onyx rings are said to prevent conflict, repair emotional scars, and help the wearer face irrational fears.

Section 3 of 5:

Historical Meaning of a Black Onyx Ring

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Onyx was an especially popular gem in Rome, where some sources suggest Romans thought the gemstone was created by fingernail clippings of the goddess Venus. It was certainly considered a sign of status, though—even the famous historian Pliny the Elder described how treasured these gems were!^{[12]
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Section 4 of 5:

General Symbolism of the Color Black

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Individuality, nonconformity, and independence From punk rockers and beat poets to revolutionaries and black, outsiders have often identified with the color black. Its absence of color implies a lack of affiliations or loyalties to anything other than the self, and a black ring is no different. If you’re trying to stand out, a black ring is a great way to go!
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Authority, drive, and ambition Black’s all-encompassing energy and stoic expressiveness make it a perfect symbol of power. A lot of CEOs, entrepreneurs, leaders, and teachers will wear a black ring as a reminder to respect their vibes, because they’ve absolutely got the confidence to take care of themselves.^{[13]
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Death, loss, and suffering Black is a relatively universal sign of death. We wear black to funerals, it’s the absence of light, and it represents the grand unknown we’ll all face after we’re gone. As a result, it’s a popular color for jewelry you’d wear when mourning.^{[14]
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Section 5 of 5:

Swinger Symbols & Misconceptions

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There are a handful of symbols associated with swingers. Some of them have a little more validity than others. Aside from the black ring (which we cover above), we’re going to break down the popular “codes,” signs, and whatnot:^{[15]
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- Pineapples. Especially upside-down pineapples. They’re supposed to represent recreational openness.
  - Is this a legit sign? Yes! Swingers do identify with this symbol.
- Pampas grass fronds. The fronds are often dried and displayed in the front yard.
  - Is this a legit sign? It is, although it seems more common in the Southern US.
- Pink flamingos. This symbol probably stems from its close association with pineapples and pampas grass.
  - Is this a legit sign? Yep! Swingers use this symbol to spot one another.
- Suggestive garden gnomes. We don’t really know where this one comes from.
  - Is this a legit sign? It’s unlikely. It doesn’t seem like swingers report this one very often.
- White landscaping rocks. This comes from a single community in Virginia.^{[16]
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  - Is this a legit sign? Outside of that one community, it doesn’t seem popular.
- Loofahs on a car. This comes from a misunderstanding in Florida. Residents thought it meant someone was a swinger, but people just did this to make it easier to find their cars.
  - Is this a legit sign? Nope.