Just in time for Fourth of July, you can get your significant other — or friends or family members — a red, white and blue handcrafted silicone ring. Enso Rings’ Independence rings are the perfect addition to anyone’s summer wardrobe.

Red, White & Blue: The Significance

The United States flag has undergone many changes since its inception in the 18th century. According to a PBS.org story about the history of the flag, each of the colors has meaning. Red stands for hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Other sources claim the colors mean courage, readiness to sacrifice, freedom, liberty and other lofty concepts. 

White — technically not a color — has long been a symbol of purity and innocence, which is why it is still used for brides in some traditional marriages. While white can be a symbol of purity, it is also associated with sterility, which is why it is often used in medical settings.

Because white is so bright and plain, it is often associated with cleanliness. That’s why so many fixtures and appliances are white, such as sinks, toilets, refrigerators and stoves. The brightness of white makes many people correlate it with light, spirituality, religion and knowledge.

Red, on the other hand, is the color of blood and life and is often associated with health and vitality. Light-skinned children are considered well and healthy if their cheeks are pink. Pale skin is associated with illness.

In Chinese culture, red is associated with joy, luck and happiness, which is why it figures so prominently in Chinese New Year celebrations. The origins of “red light district” are somewhat murky, but today it is known as an area rife with prostitution and pornography. Because fire is red, red is often connected to the devil and hell. Red is also associated with anger because blood rushes to the face during this time, but this is also the case with embarrassment, exercise and eating and drinking certain foods. 

Red cannot be ignored. It is considered a “warm” color, used to make people feel energized, so it is frequently used in restaurants and nightclubs. It’s the main logo color for Coca Cola and Red Bull. Red is a burst of energy.

Blue is considered a “cool” color, relaxing and soothing. Many people paint the walls in their home blue to promote good feelings. Some of these feelings are rooted in nature. Being out in nature makes most people feel happier. It brings us out of our social media and Twitter feeds and back to where we originated from. The blue sky, reflected in the waters beneath it, instills a sense of calm and happiness in many people.

When people are asked what their favorite color is, they answer blue more often than other colors. But blue can also have negative connotations. If you feel blue, you’re sad. Paintings from Picasso’s blue period evoke feelings of melancholy. The blues is a sad musical genre. 

Blue and red are also primary colors, symbolizing strength and dominance.

Up to 30 countries in the world incorporate red, white and blue into their flags. Of course the United Kingdom’s flag is red, white and blue and said to be an inspiration for the U.S. flag. Other countries with red, white and blue flags include Cuba, Thailand, France and New Zealand. 

Wearing the American Flag

Many complicated rules surround the treatment of the American flag, such as the flag should never touch anything beneath it. For many years, it was considered a sort of sacrilege to wear the flag. Social activist Abbie Hoffman famously wore an American flag shirt in 1968 while protesting the Vietnam War.

Although some people have believed American flag apparel is disrespectful, others think of it is as a form of paying homage to our country. American flag bathing suits have become quite common, as are flag shirts, shorts, dresses, hats, sunglasses and more. Bandanas and face masks emblazoned with the flag are common, as are backpacks, beach towels and even flip-flops.

Many American flag items are associated with summer activities, since we have two warm-weather holidays celebrating our country, military and government: Memorial Day and July Fourth. These holidays feature parades and much flag-waving.

For that reason, Enso Rings’ Independence silicone rings are especially popular among military personnel and their supporters, police officers, government workers and other patriots. According to a Pew Research Center poll, more people fly the flag who are male, white, over 65, Republican, living in the Northeast or Midwest, and have attended college.

But the beauty of an Independence silicone ring is that anyone can wear it. You can be any age, any gender (or no gender), any race, any political affiliation or religion (or none). You don’t even have to be a U.S. citizen to want to wear the American flag.

Silicone Rings: Fashionable & Comfortable

Our Independence silicone rings are a popular and easy fashion to wear because the colors complement so many different outfits. Not only that, but each Enso Rings’ Independence silicone ring is unique. If you buy a dozen rings for friends and family, each will be different. 

While you will eventually become familiar with the pattern on your individual ring, if you’re buying several for one household, you may want to have them engraved to keep straight which ring belongs to which person. Your husband, wife, children, brothers, sisters or parents would love an engraved Independence silicone ring from Enso Rings. It’s a treasured gift they can wear on all occasions for years to come.

Not only are Enso Rings fun and fashionable, but they’re also comfortable. Made of soft, flexible silicone, Enso Rings move with you, and never cut or bind like metal rings. 

Show your sense of style — and your patriotism! — by ordering one or more Independence silicone rings today from Enso Rings.