one of A&M’s oldest and most notable traditions is also one of the most subtle. It isn’t a yell, a saying, a greeting or action — it’s a ring.

     Getting your Aggie Ring is one of the most prominent moments in an Aggie’s A&M career. It’s the most internationally recognizable sign of A&M and signifies that an Aggie has met several academic requirements.

    The ring itself was designed in 1889 by E.C. Jonas, Class of 1894, and has remained largely unchanged, save for one change in 1963, when A&M officially changed its name from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas to Texas A&M University.

     The ring is also full of symbolism. On the top of the ring is a shield, which represents the wearer’s obligation to protect the reputation and weight of their alma mater. In the shield, there are 13 stripes, representative of the 13 original states and an Aggie’s patriotism. The shield also has five stars, each one representative of the phases of an Aggie’s development; intellect, body, spirit, emotion and integrity. Lastly, the shield is topped by an eagle, which is symbolic of an Aggie’s power and ability to do great things.

     The top of the ring also includes an Aggie class year, as well as the year 1876, the year A&M was founded. The Aggie’s name is also inscribed along the inside of the ring along with their class year.

     Both sides of the Aggie Ring have several emblems of symbolism. One side holds a star, symbolic of the seal of Texas, which is encircled with an olive wreath and oak leaves tied together by a ribbon. The olive wreath is symbolic of an Aggie’s achievement and desire for peaceful solutions to conflict, and the oak leaves symbolize Aggie strength. The ribbon shows  both are needed in order for one to achieve their goals.

     The other side of the ring has a cannon, saber and a rifle, all of which show an Aggie’s readiness and pride in defending their home country, a holdover from when A&M was a strictly military college. The saber is also symbolic of valor and confidence in oneself. This side of the ring also has both the United States of America’s flag and the Texas flag, which are crossed. This is meant to symbolize an Aggies allegiance to both their country and their state.

     During their undergraduate education, and Aggie usually wears their ring with the class year facing them. This is done to show that their time as a student is not complete. At the end of an Aggie’s academic days, usually at graduation, Aggies turn the ring the other way, turning the class year away from them and showing they are ready to face the world and all of its challenges.

     More than any other college’s class ring, the Aggie Ring stands out internationally and helps Aggies recognize each other when working across the world. For many Aggies, the ring is more than just a piece of jewelry, but also represents a student’s experiences through college and the friendships they develop.