On your big day, you and your spouse will exchange wedding rings with vows to show your love and devotion. However do you ever wonder why it has to be a ring? Or when and where did this wedding ring traditions come from? With this article, we will travel back in time to learn the origin and the meaning behind today’s wedding rings tradition.
- The history
This piece of metal has a history that emerges through many centuries and passes through various countries all around the world. The earliest recorded exchange of wedding rings is believed to have originated in Ancient Egypt back to 4800 years ago. They used various types of material like sedges, rushes, reeds and papyrus, twisting and braiding them into rings for fingers as an ornament for women. The rings with no beginning or end symbolized immortal love and eternity. There was no doubt these materials didn’t last very long and soon were subtitled with bone, ivory and leather. And the more expensive the ring was, the more love the giver showed to the receiver.
Then the Romans adopted this tradition and upgraded the material to iron. The ring was no more a symbol of love but a symbol of ownership. They were also the first to chisel the rings. At that time, marriage was often arranged and the ring given to a bride signified a token of purchase that she was “sold” to her groom.
The Christian used the ring on wedding day since 860, which was generally decorated with engraved lyres, doves or two linked hands. However, such rings were discouraged by the Church. It was not until the 13th century that wedding rings were consider simplified when they were dubbed as a “symbol of the union of hearts” by a Bishop.
Nowadays, wedding rings are no longer made of grass or plants like they were in ancient times but of stunning materials like gold, white gold, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, titanium and platinum that could melt the heart of the receiver.
- The meaning
The ring without end or beginning signifies eternity. Therefore, the giving of wedding rings is to imply eternal love, eternal commitment, eternal happiness and eternal togetherness. What more could a couple hope than this?
Furthermore, according to a tradition derived from the Romans that there was a vein in the fourth finger of left hand called the “Vein of Love” which is believed to run directly to the heart. For this reason, wedding rings are usually worn on this particular finger to symbolize the love of married couples despite the fact that this myth is not scientifically true.
Wedding rings have evolved through many centuries and been worn in many cultures. There may be a little difference between the traditions throughout the world yet its meaning of love and devotion remains the same. Therefore, cherish the moment you slip the ring on your spouse’s finger as your two lives will bind together from then on.
