University of Pennsylvania Official Ring Collection

Each ring symbolically captures the essence of Penn with the University's full name running around the crown surrounding the Arms of the University. The Arms memorialize two important influences, Benjamin Franklin and the Penn family. The heraldic description is, "In the chief, gules, two open books and a dolphin, argent; in the ground, argent, a chevron, azure, with three plates, argent." Gules means red; azure, blue; argent, green - red and blue were then chosen as Penn's colors. The Motto, "Leges sine moribus vanae," was chosen by the first Provost, William Smith, and was taken from a quote by Horace, which is translated as, "Of what avail are empty laws without (good) mores?" This ancient concept calls for grounding all laws on a solid base of morality-the motto continues to remain appropriate for this institution of higher learning and America's first university.

Inside each official ring the recipient's initials, degree and class year can be engraved.

To inquire about additional ring styles, please call 1-877-BALFOUR.