InScandinavianacademia, adoctoral ring orPhD-ring is traditionally bestowed upon the conferral of adoctorate. The tradition goes back to theMiddle Ages when the ring was supposed to symbolize the bond between doctors and the sciences.[1]
Together with thedoctoral hat orlaurel wreath, it forms part of theacademic regalia in Sweden.[2] Swedish doctoral rings are made ofgold, either standard orwhite gold, and in a design specific to the conferringfaculty. While the doctoral hat or laurel wreath has no use outside academic events, the ring is intended to be worn daily and is typically worn on thering finger of the left hand.
The Norwegian universities each have a design for the doctoral ring. AtNTNU (and its predecessor NTH), the ring is similar to the Swedish rings shown on this page, but the laurel berries are made of gold in reference to theengineers' ring. The doctoral rings from the universities of Oslo and Bergen have decorations resembling aharp and the family weapon ofWilhelm Frimann Koren Christie, respectively. AtNHH, the ring resembles the school's logo.[1]
The Danish doctoral ring was introduced in 1824. The current design was created bymedallistHarald Conradsen in 1866 and features a gold plate with a portrait ofPallas Athena surrounded by alaurel wreath. The ring is not awarded as such, but the doctoral title enables the recipient to purchase the figured plate from theUniversity of Copenhagen, which is the facilitator of this service.[3] If the doctor wishes it attached to an actual ring, the doctor must purchase this service from a jeweller at their own expense. The ring is normally worn on the index finger of the right hand.[3][4]