black nail polish on ring finger

You have probably seen many men and women wear black nail polish on ring finger. While it may sound odd or just a fun way of discovering nail art, it actually has a few significant meanings to it!

So, what does the black nail polish on ring finger mean? Various things signify this color and nail art, so read on to find out!

What Does Black Nail Polish On Ring Finger Mean?

From historical meanings to campaigns, there are so many meanings to the black nail polish on the ring finger. Here are three reasons why you may find people with black nail polish on their ring finger only.

1. It’s a Special Campaign

You may have seen men don the black nail polish on ring finger, which does sound odd to the average person.

This may come from the Polished Man campaign, which is an organization that strives to raise awareness of sexually abused children. This is a powerful movement that begins with Elliot Costello, who visited Cambodia and met Thea, hearing about her tragic story.

After learning about Thea’s story, Costello had a goal to do all he could to raise awareness about her story, and the thousands of children who are victims of sexually abused.

That is where The Polished Man Project came to be. The organization shows men when the nail painting takes place (all over the world!) and encourages people to donate to help with sexual abuse trauma and recovery.

This worldwide phenomenon has taken off in the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe, inspiring countless men to spread awareness with black nail polish on ring finger.

The meaning behind the polished nail is a powerful one, encouraging men not to feel embarrassed and to trump societal judgments.

To date, the activism project has raised almost $70,000, which helped thousands of children around the world to receive counseling and find relief from abuse.

Various celebrities have participated in this campaign, including Shawn Mendes, Chris Hemsworth, and many more.

If you want to learn more about The Polished Man movement, check out this interesting video:

2. Accent Nail Manicure For Fashion

This is a new nail trend from the USA, which has also grown popular in Italy. It entails painting the ring fingernail with a different color compared to other fingers.

This trend comes from Vivien Westwood runways and Leighton Denny, one of the experts in the nail field. It gives an edge and can make a statement with what you wear, especially when you wear a bold black polish.

You can find many celebrities donning this trend, usually having just one black nail polish on their ring fingers. Think of it as if you were wearing a beautiful wedding ring.

For many women, painting black nail polish on their ring finger can also signify love and a way to show off the beautiful jewelry they’re wearing!

3. It’s a Femme-Flagging Statement

For many people painting one color on your ring finger doesn’t mean anything but a fashion statement. But to those in the LGBTQ+ community, it can help express themselves and signify to the world that they are queer.

Black nail polish on the ring finger can mean that one is participating in femme-flagging. To show the world that even if they do act feminine and may look heterosexual (a common misconception in “feminine” queers), they have a deeper identity that goes far beyond how they look and act.

Because it is difficult to be visibly queer and there is no one type of look or action to show you are, nail art can express it. Think of it as the handkerchief code back in the 70s and 80s, which was popular among queer men in the United States.

In terms of color, it can symbolize more than just femme-flagging. For those who wear black nail polish, it may show that the wearer is into BDSM!

However, the black nail polish on ring finger may not mean much with femme-flagging, though there are still people who still do it. Remember to always respect anyone’s gender and avoid misgendering simply based on what one looks and acts like!

Wrapping It Up

The black nail polish on ring finger can mean a lot of things, making a statement in different ways. The reasons behind it are very interesting and truly show the world of nail art without having to go all the way! With all this in mind, you can try your hand at nail art and start with this accent nail!

I hope that this article on the black nail polish on ring finger informed you of its meaning. If you want to join a campaign and make a statement, opt to paint your ring fingernail.