Wishbone Ring Meaning and Symbolism

The first time you caught the sparkle of a chevron ring, also known as a wishbone ring, you might not have realized that glittering V was a bridge to the distant past. With a backstory that links dinosaur bones and legendary civilizations with modern jewelry, it’s no wonder that the ring has an unforgettable shape. 

The tradition of breaking a wishbone in half for good luck dates back to ancient Italy, when there weren’t enough wishbones to go around for all the Romans and Etruscans looking to improve their fortune. So they had to go 50/50 on the wish-granting furcula, which is the fancy name for the forked collar bone found in birds and the occasional dinosaur. Feel free to summon your inner Tyrannosaurus Rex this coming Thanksgiving, when it is customary for two competitors to seize each end of a turkey’s wishbone and snap it in twain. There are plenty of strategy guides for securing the larger, luckier half.

A wishbone ring has the same distinctive shape as the lucky furcula, and it also is associated with a hopeful couple and wishes coming true. That’s where the name originates, but that’s where the resemblance ends. Unlike the bird bits, the ring is made of much sturdier stuff. Don’t let the delicate looking shape fool you. It’s meant to remain unbroken through a lifetime of use. It’s literally a type of eternity band! And instead of a wishbone contest that separates participants into winner and loser, a wishbone ring joyously unites them into a shared future.

Source: Derek Hatfield/Shutterstock.com

The history might seem fanciful and the shape might seem whimsical, but wishbone rings are actually a very practical choice for wedding jewelry. That’s because the wishbone ring ideally accommodates the pointy gemstone set into the engagement ring. And again, the wishbone ring’s luck comes from its strength. 

The word “chevron” comes from the French word for “rafter,” and refers to the protective roof of a house. Chevrons were a common design element on medieval shields. The chevron shape serves as a ring guard for the engagement ring, protecting that center stone and keeping the whole affair from snagging or slipping. 

Our daintily designed but rhodium plated Zoey makes for an ideal bodyguard. It honestly pairs well with all sorts of settings. Check out how well it suits our Victoria, for example. But pear shaped engagement rings like the Bliss and the Scarlett are especially happy with the partnership! Oh, and much like Captain America’s shield, wishbone rings are versatile accessories. The Paige can set the tone for a set of stackable wedding bands or it can also shoulder solo work without breaking a sweat, like some kind of minimalist superhero.

Over the last few millennia, the wishbone has participated in a number of good luck rituals, some of which were a bit unsanitary or even downright bizarre. In Victorian times, unmarried women might place it over their doorway in the hopes of securing a husband. The first unattached fellow that crossed under it was destined to be a match – which sounds a bit chancy, to be frank. When it comes to romance, much better to stick with the wishbone in its contemporary form. Something that comes in nickel-free rose gold with a lifetime guarantee.