The Ring Gender Test: Unraveling the Mystery Behind this Old Wives’ Tale

For as long as humans have been procreating, cultures around the world have developed imaginative rituals for predicting gender to create space for the next generation.

One of those rituals is the ring gender test: a sweet, simple “test” that involves dangling a ring or wedding band over an expecting mother’s pregnant belly to divine her child’s gender. While the results have everything to do with chance, the tradition can be a delightful way to bond with your baby and growing family as you prepare for your new arrival.

Below, we break down how to perform the ring gender test and complement your pregnancy journey with equal parts science and charm.

What is the ring gender test?

The ring gender test is a folkloric method of predicting a baby’s sex that uses a ring or wedding band as a pendulum.

Pendulums are a ritualistic tool used throughout history. Typically, the individual in question asks a “yes/no” type of question (either aloud or in the mind), and a pendulum is dangled over a board or other surface to arrive at an answer. The direction or pattern in which the pendulum moves is interpreted to ascertain a response.

Because a baby’s sex can be one of two options—boy or girl—pendulums may be used to “predict” a child’s gender. What makes the ring test special is its use of a special piece of jewelry: a wedding band, engagement ring, or another bauble with sentimental value helps imbue the ritual with a sense of personal meaning and significance.

You can take the ring test by grabbing a partner, friend, or family member and taking the following steps:

1. Choose your ring – A traditional choice would be a wedding or engagement ring—but the item you choose is entirely up to you. To make the ritual feel special, you can select any piece of jewelry or memento you love (ideally, it’ll be small enough to dangle over your belly!).
2. Get a piece of string – A piece of string, chain, ribbon, or even a shoelace can work.
3. Find a comfortable position – With your belly exposed, sit in a cozy chair or get comfortable lying down.
4. Dangle your charm – Asking a question like, “Will I have a baby boy or a girl,” have your companion hover your ring or bauble over your belly while keeping their arm as still as possible.

So the legend goes, if your ring moves in a “back and forth” motion, your baby will be a boy. If it revolves in a circle, you can expect a baby girl.

The Ring Gender Test: Truth or Fiction?

No, there’s no hard “science” to justify either the results or the logic behind the ring gender test. Like most other wives’ tales about baby gender prediction methods, including the ring gender test and the baking soda gender test, accurate results are merely the result of an even 50/50 probability statistic.

That said, there’s certainly no harm in introducing an element of magic and delight to your baby gender prediction journey! If anything, the ring gender test can be a meaningful way to bond with and create space for your future baby. It can also be a lovely opportunity to introduce your children (if you have any) to the idea of welcoming a little sibling down the road.

Where did the ring gender test come from?

The definitive origins of the ring gender test have been largely lost to time. Some scholars suspect its roots lie in Italy, but rather than using a wedding ring, diviners used a humble needle and thread. The use of a wedding band may have originated in Ireland.

How to Uncover Your Baby’s Gender with Accuracy

If your goal is to get a definitive answer about your baby’s gender, the good news is you don’t have to rely on antiquated prediction methods to do so. Any of the following tests can determine your baby’s biological sex:

• At-home blood tests – Some at-home genetic testing brands boast more than over 99% clinical accuracy¹ for determining your baby’s gender. With SneakPeek’s Early Gender DNA Test, for example, you can learn your baby’s sex as early as 6 weeks into your pregnancy.
• An ultrasound – Second-trimester ultrasounds are typically administered between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. These provide anatomy scans of your baby and they can also supply you with a highly accurate gender prediction.

Two other types of testing can provide information on your baby’s gender, though these are considered more invasive procedures. These include:

• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) – Offered between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy, CVS uses a needle to retrieve and test your placental tissue. CVS is primarily used to test for genetic or chromosomal anomalies (like those responsible for Down syndrome), but they can also tell you your baby’s sex.
• Amniocentesis – Amniocentesis is offered between 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. A healthcare provider will take a sample of your amniotic fluid to screen for genetic, chromosomal, or developmental abnormalities and confirm your baby’s sex.

5 Other Mythical Gender Prediction Methods for Magic-Loving Expecting Moms

If you enjoy the imaginative rituals of mythic gender prediction methods, you might enjoy sprinkling a few more throughout your pregnancy journey. Below, find 5 more old wives’ tale gender prediction methods to delight in during your pregnancy journey.

#1 Track Your Pregnancy Cravings

One popular wives’ tale suggests your pregnancy food preferences could indicate whether you’ll have a boy or a girl. According to the lore:

• Cravings for savory or salty foods mean you’ll have a boy
• Cravings for sweet, saccharine ones mean you’ll have a girl

That said, there’s no science to suggest pregnancy cravings carry definitive meanings for expecting mothers or their babies. It’s likely your preferences are largely dictated by the whims of your hormones and your changing nutritional needs during pregnancy.

#2 Get An Older Sibling’s or Toddler’s Input

If you’re growing your family rather than starting from scratch, fanciful gender prediction methods can be an enchanting way to involve your kids in your family’s growth.

Some old wives’ tales suggest children—younger ones in particular—may have some intuitive wisdom to share when it comes to auguring your baby’s gender. Supposedly, if a male toddler takes interest or fondness in your belly, you’ll have a girl. If they’re jaded by it, you’re expecting a boy. (A strategic way to neutralize the imminent competition? Perhaps!)

#3 Scope Out Your Baby Bump

Many people believe the shape of your baby bump has some news to share about the precious cargo you’re carrying. Traditionally:

• Carrying high, or having a bump that sits higher on your abdomen, means you’ll have a girl
• Carrying “low” and “wider”, on the other hand, indicates the presence of a boy

A baby’s sex has no bearing on the shape of your belly during pregnancy. Science-based factors that impact your bump’s silhouette include:

• The muscular build of your abdomen
• The position of your baby in utero
• Whether or not this is your first pregnancy

#4 Try the Chinese Gender Calendar Predictor

One traditional method of gender prediction—over 7 centuries old—heralds from China. The Chinese gender calendar method uses two data points to make its predictions:

• The mother’s age
• Your baby’s exact date of conception

Based on the Chinese lunar calendar, this method is a fun one to use if you know precisely when your baby was conceived. You can find charts online, to locate where your baby (and their sex) falls on the chart.

#5 Keep A Pregnancy Dream Diary

Whether you’re an avid dream diary keeper or newly curious about the realm of your subconscious, keeping a dream diary can be a fun way to enjoy the more symbolic aspects of your pregnancy journey.

Some people believe a person’s dream world can illuminate details hidden in our waking life through symbolism. Vivid dreaming is also common during pregnancy, even if you’re not one to have colorful or even memorable dreams.

Notably, certain psychological traditions like Jungian analysis put great emphasis on the importance of dream symbolism in the life of the unconscious. So, if you dream of giving birth to a baby girl or boy, who knows—perhaps your inner world is making a prediction on your behalf.

Ring In Your Pregnancy with SneakPeek

Whether it’s dangling a ring over your bump or asking a big-sib-to-be who they think their new sibling will be, there are several gender reveal ideas and countless ways to entertain what your newest arrival will be like. Prepare to welcome your baby with SneakPeek’s Early Gender Blood Test—the #1-recommended at-home early gender test trusted by 1 million moms throughout the country.

With the SneakPeek test you can discover your baby’s gender with over 99% clinically proven accuracy¹ even earlier than your first ultrasound: as soon as 6 weeks into your pregnancy. The process is easy: you’ll take your sample at home, send it to SneakPeek labs, and we’ll triple-review your results. We’ll send them back on the same day they’re received along with a complimentary downloadable report you can share with your healthcare provider.

For more insights into your pregnancy and future baby, check out SneakPeek today.

This post has been reviewed for accuracy by:

Haley Milot

Haley Milot, a highly skilled laboratory professional, currently serves as the Associate Director of Lab Operations at Gateway Genomics, the parent company of SneakPeek. Her extensive experience in laboratory management, spanning over seven years with Gateway Genomics, showcases her expertise in quality assurance, quality control, and the development of laboratory procedures. Haley's background includes pivotal roles in DNA extraction and purification, real-time qPCR, and specimen accessioning, underscoring her comprehensive understanding of laboratory operations and diagnostics. Her adeptness in managing complex laboratory functions and her deep knowledge of medical diagnostics make her a vital contributor to SneakPeek's innovative approach to prenatal testing.

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