Wedding Rings otherwise known as Wedding Bands, were thought to be first used Ancient Egypt, around 4800 years ago.
Depending upon the country in which it is worn, they are usually placed on the third finger of the left hand. This was so designated by the Romans who knew it to connect directly to the heart and called it the "vena amoris", or "vein of love". Originally worn by the women only up until around the start of the 20th Century when men also started to wear them, they have always been a symbol of marriage.
The first rings of this sort were made from reeds that sat on the banks of the River Nile in Ancient Egypt. Although they did not last for very long and were soon replaced by bone and leather, these reeds were intertwined and plaited around the finger to form a ring. Not only did this river famously bring everything else to the Egyptian peoples and their ruling Pharaohs, they also brought the original wedding ring.
The shape was thought to mimic their worship to the Sun and Moon, and because it had no start or no end, it also symbolised eternity. The whole was supposed to be their entry into all that was unknown or known.
Legally, if a women accepted a wedding ring from a man, then she was known to belong to him. This is was because the ring was a sort of formal contract.
After first using iron, the Romans in their early days started to use brass and cooper to make up these rings. The rich were also able to have them made up from silver of even gold. Because of the symbolic relationships of ruby to love, and diamonds to indestructibility, just as is sometimes done today, these precious gems were also occasionally added.
During the Italian Renaissance and then through the 17th Century, silver became the most popular metal used, and then slowly did the use of gold. many rings during these times were engraved with words such as "faith" and "love" around the inside of the shank. Although gold became the most popular, not everybody could afford one, so it became increasing popular to just borrow one until after the ceremony. The Church of England is not particularly bothered which metal is used, just as long as one is used.
The Catholic Church has always promoted the use of these wedding rings due to the fact that Mary and Joseph used them made of onyx or amethyst. Oppositely the early Protestant Puritans said that they were in fact a sacrilege, and should not be worn.
Just as it should today, the wedding ring always had to fit correctly, because if it was too loose it could bring about unfaithfulness and recklessness, but if it was fitted to tight, it could allow jealous and possesive thoughts.
Originally a ring that was known as a "gemmel" was used when rings were to exchanged in relation to pre-wedding ceremonies. This ring was made from three bands. One was given to the women, one to the man, and one to a witness. On the actual wedding day it would be put back together and placed as one on the women's finger. The exchange of wedding rings as we really know it today did not start until the beginning of the Second World War, when the men who went away to fight for their country were given one by their wives. This would keep them safe from harm and not allow them to forget their loved ones back at home.
One of the only Christian beliefs today that do not recognise or wear the wedding ring, is that of the Quakers.
Depending upon the country in which it is worn, they are usually placed on the third finger of the left hand. This was so designated by the Romans who knew it to connect directly to the heart and called it the "vena amoris", or "vein of love". Originally worn by the women only up until around the start of the 20th Century when men also started to wear them, they have always been a symbol of marriage.
The first rings of this sort were made from reeds that sat on the banks of the River Nile in Ancient Egypt. Although they did not last for very long and were soon replaced by bone and leather, these reeds were intertwined and plaited around the finger to form a ring. Not only did this river famously bring everything else to the Egyptian peoples and their ruling Pharaohs, they also brought the original wedding ring.
The shape was thought to mimic their worship to the Sun and Moon, and because it had no start or no end, it also symbolised eternity. The whole was supposed to be their entry into all that was unknown or known.
Legally, if a women accepted a wedding ring from a man, then she was known to belong to him. This is was because the ring was a sort of formal contract.
After first using iron, the Romans in their early days started to use brass and cooper to make up these rings. The rich were also able to have them made up from silver of even gold. Because of the symbolic relationships of ruby to love, and diamonds to indestructibility, just as is sometimes done today, these precious gems were also occasionally added.
During the Italian Renaissance and then through the 17th Century, silver became the most popular metal used, and then slowly did the use of gold. many rings during these times were engraved with words such as "faith" and "love" around the inside of the shank. Although gold became the most popular, not everybody could afford one, so it became increasing popular to just borrow one until after the ceremony. The Church of England is not particularly bothered which metal is used, just as long as one is used.
The Catholic Church has always promoted the use of these wedding rings due to the fact that Mary and Joseph used them made of onyx or amethyst. Oppositely the early Protestant Puritans said that they were in fact a sacrilege, and should not be worn.
Just as it should today, the wedding ring always had to fit correctly, because if it was too loose it could bring about unfaithfulness and recklessness, but if it was fitted to tight, it could allow jealous and possesive thoughts.
Originally a ring that was known as a "gemmel" was used when rings were to exchanged in relation to pre-wedding ceremonies. This ring was made from three bands. One was given to the women, one to the man, and one to a witness. On the actual wedding day it would be put back together and placed as one on the women's finger. The exchange of wedding rings as we really know it today did not start until the beginning of the Second World War, when the men who went away to fight for their country were given one by their wives. This would keep them safe from harm and not allow them to forget their loved ones back at home.
One of the only Christian beliefs today that do not recognise or wear the wedding ring, is that of the Quakers.
About the Author:
Diamond-set Wedding Rings, & other Amazing Wedding Rings, such as Ruby Wedding Rings & Sapphire Wedding Rings, can be found at www.GlobeJewellery.co.uk