Doctoral ring

A doctoral ring from Uppsala university's philosophical faculty

In Swedish and Danish academia, a doctoral ring may be bestowed upon the conferral of a doctorate.

Sweden

Together with the doctoral hat, it forms part of the academic regalia in Sweden. Swedish doctoral rings are made of gold, either standard or white gold, and in a design specific to the conferring faculty. While the doctoral hat has no use outside academic events, the ring is intended to be worn in daily life and is typically worn on the index finger of the left hand.

A doctoral ring made of white gold from Lund university's psychology faculty

Denmark

The Danish doctoral ring

The Danish doctoral ring was introduced in 1824. The current design was created by medallist Harald Conradsen in 1866 and features a gold plate with a portrait of Pallas Athena surrounded by a laurel wreath. The ring is not awarded as such, but the doctoral title enables the recipient to purchase the figured plate from the University of Copenhagen which is the facilitator of this service.^[1] If the doctor wishes it attached to an actual ring, the doctor must purchase this service from a jeweller at his own expense. The ring is normally worn on the index finger of the right hand.^[1][2]

References

1. "Diplom og doktorring" [Diploma and doctoral ring] (in Danish). University of Aarhus. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
2. "Doktorringen" [The doctoral ring] (in Danish). University of Copenhagen. Retrieved 19 December 2013.

• Article with illustrations from 1907 Nordisk familjebok (in Swedish)