Deborah Chan
Native American wedding rings are growing in popularity as symbols of love, faith, and honour for traditional and non-traditional wedding ceremonies. Historically, Native Americans did not typically use wedding rings in their marriage ceremonies. Instead, they often used ceremonial vases, which symbolised the purification and cleansing of the bride and groom's past lives. Today, Native American wedding rings are usually made with silver and feature engravings of sacred animals. They are also bejewelled with traditional stones thought to hold powers, such as turquoise, coral, opal, and onyx.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Growing in popularity as symbols of love, faith, and honor |
| History | Native Americans did not typically use wedding rings in their marriage ceremonies unless there were silversmiths within the tribe or they were gifts from outsiders |
| Alternative traditions | Ceremonial vases were more traditional than wedding rings; eagle feathers were also used in some ceremonies |
| Design | Usually made with silver and engraved with sacred animals; often bejeweled with traditional stones such as turquoise, coral, opal, and onyx |
| Tribes | Wedding rings are made by Hopi, Apache, Navajo, and Zuni artists |
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What You'll Learn
Native American wedding rings today
Native American wedding rings are growing in popularity as symbols of love, faith, and honour for traditional and non-traditional wedding ceremonies. While wedding rings were historically uncommon in Native American marriage ceremonies, specialty shops and custom jewellers now offer a variety of Native American-style wedding rings. These rings are usually made with silver and feature engravings of sacred animals and traditional stones thought to hold powers.
The most popular stone used in Native American wedding rings is turquoise, which is a soft blue stone. Legend has it that turquoise, or SkyStone, was formed from the tears of joy and raindrops that soaked into the earth as Native Americans danced when the rains came. Other popular stones include coral, opal, and onyx. Onyx is said to stabilise and heal the root chakra, increase grounding and productiveness, and ward off witches and evil spells.
Many Native American wedding rings feature one large stone surrounded by smaller stones. Men's wedding rings are usually quite wide, with a single setting of onyx or turquoise. Rings may also feature other ornamentation that gives them a traditional feel, such as a hawk design or metal craftsmanship that gives the impression of feathers or the sun.
Native American wedding rings can be purchased from specialty shops and custom jewellers, such as Four Corners USA Online, which offers Navajo wedding rings made by Native American artisans. These rings are suitable for traditional and non-traditional wedding ceremonies and come in a variety of materials, including gold, silver, mixed metals, and inlay bands with turquoise, coral, opal, and other stones.
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Native American wedding traditions
Evening is the traditional time for a Native American wedding ceremony, which usually takes place outdoors in nature, incorporating natural elements like wood and rocks. Pottery and clay work are integral to the heritage of Indigenous societies, so it is common for some southern tribes to include a vase ceremony. The vase is made from clay found in a local river by the parents of the groom. The vase has two spouts, from which the couple drinks holy water during the ceremony, symbolising both individuality and unity. The vase is then kept as a cherished possession throughout the marriage and passed on to another couple upon the death of a spouse.
Food is also central to the ceremonies of many Native American tribes. The wedding meal typically includes delicacies such as fry bread, corn, beans, venison, wild berries, and other traditional foods. The basket ceremony, which takes place at Cherokee weddings, is an example of this, where the mother of the bride presents her daughter with a basket containing an ear of corn or a loaf of bread.
The inclusion of eagle feathers is another common tradition, with the feathers representing a connection with the Great Spirit. In a traditional Algonquin marriage ceremony of the Ojibwa, or Chippewa, tribe, the bride and groom each hold an eagle feather in their left hand while reciting their vows.
Some Native American couples also choose to wear traditional turquoise jewellery and blankets made specifically for them, along with family heirlooms passed down through generations.
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Native American wedding attire
In addition to rings, other types of jewellery and accessories are also part of Native American wedding attire. For example, feather headbands and headpieces are commonly worn, as well as moccasins, which can be paired with skirts or pants. The inclusion of feathers, shells, and beads in wedding attire reflects the cultural significance of these natural materials in Native American traditions.
While there is no standard Native American wedding dress, some modern designers have created gowns that incorporate traditional Native American motifs and influences. These dresses may feature intricate beadwork, feather details, or natural colour palettes that echo the hues of the earth, sky, and natural surroundings.
The specific attire worn by Native American couples on their wedding day can vary depending on their tribal affiliation and cultural traditions. Each tribe has its unique customs, rituals, and symbolic elements that may be incorporated into the wedding ceremony and attire. Therefore, Native American wedding attire is not limited to a single style but encompasses a diverse range of expressions that honour the rich cultural heritage of Native American communities.
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Native American wedding gifts
Historically, Native Americans did not typically use wedding rings in their marriage ceremonies. Instead, they used ceremonial vases, which are still used in traditional wedding ceremonies today. The two spouts on the vase represent the couple, and the rounded base and shared reservoir represent the couple's shared lives. The looped handle represents the unity achieved in marriage, and the space created within the loop represents the couple's circle of life. The vase is filled with a ceremonial liquid, such as nectar, water, or an herbal-infused tea, and the couple drinks from it during the ceremony. The vase then becomes a cherished piece in the couple's household.
Today, Native American wedding rings are growing in popularity as symbols of love, faith, and honour. These rings often feature traditional stones such as turquoise, coral, opal, and onyx, which are believed to hold powers. For example, turquoise is associated with a legend about the tears of joy of Native Americans mixing with raindrops to become SkyStone or Turquoise. Onyx is said to stabilise and heal the root chakra, increase grounding and productivity, and ward off witches and evil spells. Native American wedding rings are usually made with silver and feature engravings of sacred animals.
Native American wedding vases and rings are now given as gifts to non-Native couples as well, who appreciate the symbolism and beauty of these traditional crafts. For example, a gallery-quality piece of Mata Ortiz pottery could be a wedding gift. Native American wedding vases can be purchased from distributors of Native American arts and crafts, such as Kachina House, or online from websites like Etsy.
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Native American wedding jewellery makers
Native American wedding rings are growing in popularity as symbols of love, faith, and honour for traditional and non-traditional wedding ceremonies. While historically, Native Americans did not typically use wedding rings in their marriage ceremonies, there are now several Native American wedding jewellery makers to choose from.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque and Indian Traders are two retailers that sell Native American wedding rings. They buy from a particular Hopi jewellery maker, and their pieces include a guarantee of authenticity and the maker's hallmark.
Case Trading Post, part of the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, is another option for those seeking high-end jewellery from a number of Southwest and Plains tribes. They have good relationships with jewellers and can recommend someone if you want a custom design.
The Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff also has relationships with Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and other Pueblo jewellers.
If you're looking for specific Native jewellery artists, there are several Instagram accounts showcasing beautiful designs, most of them Diné folks:
- @mr.isaacdial
- @ataumbimetals
- @lv_nativedesigns
- @toweringhouse_jewelry
Eighth Generation is another brand that sells Native American jewellery. Their sterling silver earrings and necklaces are cast in Seattle, while their bold mixed-media earrings are assembled in their Seattle studio. Their gold-plated earrings are perfect for sensitive ears. All of their jewellery is designed by Native artists.
Common features of Native American wedding rings include the use of precious stones and carvings, such as turquoise, coral, opal, and onyx. Many rings also feature traditional designs, such as a hawk or feathers, or metal craftsmanship that gives the impression of the sun.
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Frequently asked questions
Historically, Native Americans did not typically use wedding rings in their marriage ceremonies.
Ceremonial vases were more traditionally used than wedding rings. The vase symbolised water within to purify and cleanse, so the bride and groom would wash their hands to clean away past evils and memories of past loves.
Native American wedding rings are usually made with silver and marked with engravings of sacred animals. They are also bejewelled with traditional stones thought to hold powers, such as turquoise, coral, opal, and onyx.
Native American wedding traditions vary across tribes. For example, during a traditional Algonquin marriage ceremony of the Ojibwa, or Chippewa, tribe, the bride and groom each hold an eagle feather in their left hand while reciting their wedding vows to each other. The Cherokee and Pueblo people also celebrate a vase ritual as part of their wedding ceremonies.
Outfits vary from tribe to tribe, but most have special outfits that are generally worn for weddings. For example, Yupik Eskimo brides generally wear a special headdress, while Hopi grooms wear a garment that consists of a large belt, two all-white wedding robes, and a white wedding robe with red stripes at the top and bottom, finished with deerskin leggings and moccasins.
