Many traditions honor wood as a material having spiritual and symbolic power. Feng shui, an element of Chinese thought, divides the world into five elements: earth, fire, metal, water, and wood. The “wood” element is considered the first element, the starting place, and is associated with the season of spring and other new beginnings. (This is why wood rings are perfect for engagements and marriages!). Wood is associated with courage, birth, newness, health, family, and abundance. Who wouldn’t want a little of that to wear around?