Gold Wedding Bands: Symbolism And Meaning

A gold wedding band is a symbol of eternal love and commitment. The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is thought to date back thousands of years, with ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks all taking part in similar rituals. The circle shape of the ring symbolises eternity, with no beginning or end, while the gold colour represents wealth, prosperity and good health.

Symbol of eternal love and devotion

Wedding bands have been a symbol of love, commitment, and unity between two people for centuries. The circle shape of the band symbolises eternity, with no beginning or end. The choice of metal can also be significant: gold symbolises wealth, prosperity, and good health.

Gold wedding bands are more than just jewellery. They represent a timeless commitment of love and partnership. Gold has a natural shine that doesn't fade, making it perfect for a ring that will be worn every day. Gold is also versatile, pairing well with any gemstone and complementing a variety of styles, from classic to contemporary.

Gold wedding bands are a popular choice for couples looking to symbolise their eternal love and devotion. The tradition of exchanging wedding rings dates back to ancient times. In ancient Egypt, couples exchanged rings made of braided reeds as a symbol of eternal love. The ancient Romans believed that wedding rings were a symbol of ownership and used them to signify a woman's legal acceptance into her husband's family.

The tradition of giving men's wedding rings did not become widespread until the 20th century. Today, it is widely accepted for men to wear wedding rings, and many choose to wear them every day. Gold wedding bands are a beautiful and meaningful choice for any couple looking to celebrate their love and commitment.

Pride and commitment

A wedding ring is a symbol of pride and commitment. The act of exchanging wedding rings is a long-established tradition that dates back 6,000 years. The circular shape of the ring is a symbol of infinity, with no beginning or end, reflecting the eternal nature of love.

The tradition of wearing a wedding band on the left ring finger is believed to have originated with the ancient Romans, who thought that the "vena amoris" or "vein of love" ran directly from the heart to the fourth finger on the left hand. This tradition continues today, with many people choosing to wear their wedding band on their left hand as a reminder of their deep commitment to their partner.

Gold, a precious metal, has been a popular choice for wedding bands for centuries. It symbolises wealth, prosperity, and good health. The use of gold in wedding bands became especially popular during the Victorian era (1830-1899) when mass jewellery production gained momentum. The affordability of lower-karat gold made wedding bands accessible to the masses, and they became the status quo at wedding ceremonies.

Gold wedding bands are timeless and versatile, pairing well with various gemstone rings. They are durable, lasting forever, and do not tarnish, making them suitable for everyday wear. The classic gold band is a symbol of pride and commitment, reflecting a couple's eternal love and promise to one another.

Circle shape symbolism

The circle shape of a wedding band is steeped in symbolism and has been for thousands of years. Circles have been revered as sacred symbols in almost all cultures, with a rich history in religious and spiritual practices.

Eternity and Continuity

The circle's most prominent meaning is eternity. With no beginning or end, it symbolises a never-ending cycle, representing eternal love and devotion. This idea of continuity is also reflected in the circular orbits of celestial bodies, reinforcing the infinite nature of the universe.

Unity and Wholeness

The circle's shape, with its boundary equidistant from its centre, represents unity and wholeness. It symbolises the union of two people, bringing them closer together, with nothing lost between them.

Perfection and Balance

The circle is often associated with perfection due to its symmetry and the intrinsic belief that it is a flawless shape. This idea of perfection also ties into the concept of divine symmetry, where the circle represents the universe in perfect balance.

Protection and Containment

In several cultures and religions, circles indicate protection, offering a sense of containment and safety. For example, in Celtic culture, a protective circle known as a caim is cast around a couple during their wedding ceremony to shield them from external influences.

Cyclical Nature and Transformation

The circle also symbolises the cyclical nature of life, representing the continuous process of evolution, transformation, and rebirth. This idea is evident in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the progression of time and seasons.

Spiritual Journey

The circle can also represent an individual's spiritual journey, a path of continuous growth and evolution without a definitive end, encouraging a sense of "trusting the universe" and embracing the unknown.

Divinity and Holiness

In some religions, such as Christianity, the circle is linked to divinity and holiness. Saints and angels are often depicted with halos, circular shapes symbolising their sacred status.

Monotheism

In Christianity and Islam, the circle represents monotheism. In Christianity, God is seen as the alpha and omega, the beginning and end, perfectly encapsulated by the circle. In Islam, the circle symbolises monotheism with God at its centre.

Universal Energy

The circle is also associated with universal energy and the soul's continuity, further emphasising the concept of infinity and the belief in a divine life force that guides our reality.

Placement of the ring

The placement of a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand can be traced back to ancient Roman beliefs about the 'vein of love'—that this finger has a vein that runs directly to the heart. This tradition is still observed in most Western cultures.

However, there are several variations on this tradition. In some cultures, such as in Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, and Russia, wedding rings are placed on the right hand. In the Netherlands, plain bands can be worn on either hand, with Catholics wearing them on the left and Protestants on the right. In Sweden and Chile, men also receive and wear engagement rings, which are worn on the right hand until the wedding, when they are exchanged onto the left.

In terms of ring combinations, there are also several options. Some people choose to wear their wedding band on top of their engagement ring, or vice versa, or to wear them on separate hands. In some cultures, such as in India, a toe ring is worn instead of, or as well as, a finger ring.

Engagement ring vs wedding ring

Gold wedding bands have been a symbol of eternal love and devotion for centuries. The tradition of exchanging rings dates back to ancient times, with the ancient Egyptians exchanging braided reeds as a symbol of eternal love, and the Romans using rings as a symbol of ownership. The circle shape of wedding rings symbolises eternity, with gold symbolising wealth, prosperity, and good health.

An engagement ring is usually given during a proposal or soon after a couple decides to become engaged. It typically features one dominant stone, which may be surrounded by smaller stones. A wedding ring, or wedding band, is usually exchanged during the wedding ceremony and is an official symbol of the union of marriage. It is often a plain metal band or a diamond eternity band. There is usually a significant price difference between the two, with the total carat weight of a wedding ring typically being less than that of an engagement ring.

Traditionally, both rings are worn together on the fourth finger of the left hand, known as the "ring finger", with the wedding band worn inside the engagement ring, closer to the heart. However, some people choose to wear their engagement ring on one hand and their wedding band on the other, especially if the rings do not stack well together.

Ultimately, there are no rules when it comes to choosing, designing, or wearing engagement and wedding rings. It is a personal choice that should be based on what feels right for the couple.

Frequently asked questions