The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE BINDING RING

WHEN A WOMAN'S (USUALLY A YOUNG WOMAN) HUSBAND DIES AND
THE WIDOW PLACES HER WEDDING RING ON HER DECEASED
HUSBAND'S FINGER, IT MEANS THAT SHE HAS DECIDED TO LIVE
THE REST OF HER LIFE WITH HIS MEMORY ALONE AND NOT
REMARRY.

Submitter comment: LOUIS L. SZEP, THE INFORMANT, LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM
HIS PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS IN HIS NATIVE HUNGARY,
IN THE CITY OF SZOMBATHELY, NEAR THE AUSTRIAN BORDER.
HE SAYS THAT THE CUSTOM IS A PROMINENT ONE IN
HUNGARY, AND ONE THAT WAS KNOWN WISELY IN HIS
FAMILY'S HISTORY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; BIRMINGHAM ; SZOMBATHELY

Date learned: 12-31-1963

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