Time stops moving and your heart leaps into your throat as the love of your life offers a sparkling ring and asks you to make them the happiest person in the world. At the wedding ceremony the same ring might be exchanged from one hand to the other, or the couple may exchange brand new rings. But where do these traditions come from and what are their historical significance? This article will answer all your questions about the origins of wedding rings and their significance throughout human history.
Many cultures have included wedding jewelry either as a display of elegance during the ceremony or as a form of dowry. However, the introduction of wedding rings worn in marriage is a more recent development.
There’s no exact timeline of how rings went from fashion statements or offerings of affection to becoming marriage statements. Depending on the culture, time period and region, rings had many different meanings. Still, the wedding ring has survived many different stages of human history and remains a strong symbol in today’s society.
Rings in Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, rings woven from weeds or leather were the first rings documented in human history.
The Egyptian Pharaohs used the idea of the ring as a representation of eternity. A serpent swallowing its tail was one of the most common rings. Ouroboro, which is Greek for “tail eater” is how this symbol was described. Sapphire stones were set as the eyes, while diamond stones were placed in the snake’s tail.
Rings were seen as powerful symbols of life and love and the open circle representing a gate into worlds and universes unknown.
The Birth of the Wedding Ring
Signets rings, exchanged in Rome, were likely the first engagement rings. In Ancient Greece, rings with cherubs or Eros, the god of love, were common gifts between lovers. It is however, most likely that the Romans first connected the ring of love to the marriage agreement. The most common was the ‘fede’ ring which depicts two hands clasped in agreement.
As the idea of the wedding ring evolved, instead of clasped hands Roman couples would sometimes have their heads carved into the rings or even sometimes their entire figure. When Christianity became the major religion of the Byzantine Empire, couples sometimes chose to have a cross carved between their portraits as an added blessing.
Variations on the Theme
As the fede ring became more and more common during the early 1600’s they slowly evolved into more complex designs such as the Claddagh – two hands holding a heart- or the gimmel ring. A gimmel ring consists of two or more complex interlocking parts that come together to form a single piece. Intricate designs such as hearts, flowers or hands are often carved into the metal.
In early American life, Puritan husbands were a little more shrewd. They offered their wives thimbles, which could eventually be turned into rings after they were put to good use.
Posy Rings
Gaining popularity in the 15th century, posy (or posie) rings were typically gold rings with special inscriptions. In the beginning, a special poem or reading was inscribed on the outside, but as the messages became more personal, goldsmiths started inscribing messages on the inside.
When did Engagement and Wedding Rings become separate things?
It was super simple to get married in England back in the Medieval times. All you had to do was ask for the other partner’s ‘present consent.’ Usually you asked someone to marry you by offering them what was called a ‘wed.’ A ‘wed’ was typically a ring of some sort. The only problem with this informal marriage agreement was that there was often nobody else around to witness this exchange. If a marriage ended up not working out, it was easy to deny that it never even happened in the first place. That’s why the Church of England declared marriage a holy sacrament in the 12th century. From this moment on, weddings took place in and with the blessing of the church. Since rings also became a part of the wedding ceremony, men were not supposed to offer women rings unless it was under the marriage rite. This is most likely when the separation between engagement and wedding rings took place. Men still wanted to declare their love in private, but still wished to have the blessing of the church and their community.
Jewish Wedding Rings
The traditional Jewish wedding ring has a long history of being a plain ring with no inscriptions or extra jewelry. This is meant to symbolize a marriage that is pure and simple, with no unnecessary distractions or complications. The ring used in Jewish wedding ceremonies between the 10th and 19th centuries was, however, quite intricate. Sometimes the ring would contain a small compartment with a tiny scroll inscribed with special Hebrew texts. Often the ring was of such great value that it was shared between the whole village for wedding ceremonies.
When Did Men Start Wearing Wedding Rings?
Until the 20th century it was common for just the woman to wear a wedding ring. However, a shift in this trend occurred during World War II, when young American and European men wore rings into battle to remember their wives back home. After the war, the trend became a normalcy.
Which Finger is the Ring Finger?
The finger on which the wedding ring is worn has changed as frequently as the different styles of wedding rings. These days it’s most common for the wedding ring to be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. However, this depends once again on which country or culture the marriage takes place in. The significance of the fourth finger on the left hand goes back to the Roman period. Although it’s not necessarily supported by scientific proof of any sort, this finger is supposed to have a vein which connects directly to the heart. Whether you believe in this theory or not, it’s a pretty neat sentiment.
How did the Diamond Ring Become so popular?
Although the first diamond ring dates back to Rome in around 100AD, the major diamond company DeBeers popularized it during the 1940s.
A successful marketing campaign using artists such as Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso to portray diamonds as precious works of art, DeBeers became a household name overnight. In 1947 they launched the catchy slogan “a diamond is forever” and in 1953 they hired Marilyn Monroe to model with the phrase “a diamond is a girl’s best friend.”
DeBeers was successfully able to convince 80% of American brides that a diamond was the only real wedding ring a man could offer them.
Wedding Rings Today
Although diamond rings are still the most popular choice, some couples are turning to other unique, non-traditional choices. Whether it be a more ethically sourced option, or an eco friendly choice, there’s something that fits everyone’s taste and style. Some couples are deciding to ditch the idea of a wedding ring altogether, arguing that their love is stronger than any form of symbolic material.
No matter how you personally view the wedding ring and its significance, it has historically been a strong symbol of love and commitment.
– Bernard Paul