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A 'toe ring' is a ring made out of various metals and non-metals worn on any of the toes. It is almost exclusively worn by women but is becoming more popular with men . The second toe of either foot is where they are worn most commonly. In most western countries they are a relatively new fashion accessory. There is no a symbolic meaning for wearing toe rings. They are only regarded to be a new fashion jewerly; they often accompany Barefoot Sandals.

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Toe rings in India (''bichiya'')

References

Toe rings in India (''bichiya'')

Wearing of toe rings is practiced in India. It is worn as a symbol of married state by Hindu women and is called ''bichiya'' (pronounced: bee-chee-ya) in Hindi (Metti in Tamil - மெட்டி). They are usually made of silver and worn in pairs (unlike the trend in Western countries, where they are worn singly or in unmatched pairs) on the second toe of both feet. Traditionally they are quite ornate, though more contemporary designs are now being developed to cater to the modern bride. Some 'bichiya sets' may have pairs for four of the five toes, excluding the little pinky. 'Bichiyas' may not be made of gold, as gold holds a 'respected' status and may not be worn below the waist by Hindus. But this is not followed very strictly and toe rings made of gold and diamonds are commonly seen ^[1].
Traditionally a large ring was worn on the great toe of the left foot to indicate a married status. Some men frequently wore a ring on the big toe for curative purposes or to augment their masculine vigor. These rings were seldom closed circles but open hoops so that they could easily be removed. Rings for the Finger: Toe Rings George Frederick Kunz page 80, Lippincott Co. Philadelphia, 1917
The toe ring makes a slight sound while walking barefoot on a hard surface. This could have been used to monitor or track movement at night for the women's safety.

References

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