Ringism

Ringism is a speculative philosophical concept and fictional belief system centered on the symbolic significance of rings. It treats rings as emblems of unity, boundary, and renewal, and uses circular form as a metaphor for connectivity across individuals, communities, and natural cycles.

Origin and status: The term and concept appear primarily in speculative literature and critical essays, where Ringism is used as a thought experiment to explore cyclical time, reciprocity, and social cohesion. It does not refer to a widely practiced real-world religion, and there is no central authority or formal creed.

Beliefs: Ringism posits that reality is organized around rings or cycles. Key tenets include interdependence within a shared circumference, the idea that every member participates in the whole, and that renewal requires honoring boundaries without cutting off connection. The ring is both boundary and bridge.

Practices: In fictional or theoretical Ringism, practitioners may engage in contemplative exercises tracing circles, study of circular motifs, and rituals involving rings or circular symbols. Ethical emphasis is placed on balance, sustainability of cycles, and responsible stewardship of resources to maintain the integrity of the ring.

Reception and influence: Ringism is commonly discussed in literary and philosophical contexts as a metaphor for interconnection and temporal recurrence. It is not recognized as an organized movement in real-world religious or philosophical communities, though some authors adopt the idea to frame discussions of ecology, sociology, or cosmology.

See also: circularity, cyclicism, ring theory, symbolism of circles.