Lyla Dejesus
Wedding rings have been exchanged as a symbol of love and commitment for thousands of years, with the tradition of exchanging rings dating back 3,000 years. The practice of wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand, or the 'ring finger', is believed to have originated from the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, who believed that a vein in this finger ran directly to the heart. This vein was known as the 'Vena Amoris', or 'Vein of Love'. In ancient Rome, wedding rings were not exchanged between partners but were instead presented by men to the bride's father as a symbol of purchase. By the second century BC, this practice changed, and the bride was given a gold ring to wear in public, demonstrating the trust placed in her by the groom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How old is the tradition of exchanging wedding rings? | The tradition is at least 3,000 years old. |
| Who started the tradition? | The ancient Egyptians and Romans are credited with starting the tradition. |
| Why did they start the tradition? | The Egyptians believed that the ring finger on the left hand contained a "vena amoris" or "vein of love" that led directly to the heart. |
| When did the tradition spread? | The tradition spread as new lands were discovered. |
| When did men start wearing wedding rings? | Men started wearing wedding rings during World War II to remind them of their wives back home. |
| What are wedding rings made of? | Wedding rings can be made of gold, diamond, grass, rope, leather, or metal. |
| What do wedding rings symbolise? | Wedding rings symbolise lifelong love, fidelity, and trust. |
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What You'll Learn
Ancient Roman wedding rings
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is believed to have originated in ancient times, with roots in ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome. The Romans are known to have adopted the belief in the "vena amoris" or "vein of love," which was thought to run directly from the fourth finger (the ring finger) of the left hand to the heart. As a result, they wore their wedding rings on this finger, a tradition that has persisted to the present day.
In ancient Rome, marriage was a legally binding contract that required strict adherence to Roman law. The term "connubium," for example, denoted the legal right to marry, and no one could wed without it. Marriages were referred to as "justae nuptiae," "justum matrionium," or "ligitimum matrimonium."
Roman women were given two wedding rings: one made of iron to be worn at home, and another made of gold to be worn in public to impress others. Iron symbolised strength and permanence, while gold symbolised wealth. Gold wedding rings, in particular, became more elaborate and ornate starting from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, reflecting the owner's wealth and the craftsman's skill.
Roman wedding rings featured various designs, including the popular clasped hands motif on "fede" rings, which is still part of Italian engagement and wedding ring traditions today. The Romans were also the first to engrave their engagement and wedding rings. One such ring, on display at the British Museum in London, bears the inscription "Te amo parum," which translates to "I love you too little" or "I do not love you enough."
Today, couples can still choose from a variety of precious metals for their Roman-inspired wedding bands, including 10k and 14k green gold, and 14k and 18k natural white gold.
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Ancient Egyptian rings
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is believed to date back 3,000 years. The ancient Egyptians are credited with starting this tradition, with both men and women exchanging rings made from natural materials to symbolise their never-ending love. The circle was significant to the Egyptians as it reflected the shape of the sun and the moon, which they worshipped. They believed that the open space in the middle of a ring represented a gateway to the unknown. The Egyptian ouroboros ring, portraying a serpent swallowing its tail, is one of the oldest symbols in the world and represents the eternal cycle of things.
The ancient Egyptians also believed that the fourth finger of the left hand, or the ring finger, contained the "vena amoris" or "vein of love" that led directly to the heart. The Romans adopted this belief and wore wedding rings on their ring fingers. This belief and the tradition of wearing rings on the ring finger continue to this day, even though it is not anatomically correct.
The use of rings is believed to have spread from Egypt to the Greeks and the Etruscans, and then to ancient Rome. The ancient Greeks exchanged rings as symbols of love, not necessarily of marriage. The Greeks and Romans often used iron and copper rings in their marriage ceremonies, with the iron rings sometimes featuring key motifs to symbolise the wife's control of the household goods. By the 2nd century CE, gold rings had become more common, with gold being the most common metal by the 3rd and 4th centuries CE.
The Christian church played a significant role in the evolution of wedding rings. In the 12th century, the church declared marriage to be a holy sacrament and established a ceremony that included rings. The church promoted the exchanging of wedding rings as a way to keep men faithful. During World War II, American and European soldiers began wearing wedding rings to remember their wives and sweethearts back home, and this tradition continued through the Korean War.
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Diamond engagement rings
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is an ancient one, dating back thousands of years. The earliest known wedding rings were fashioned out of natural materials like grass, rope, leather, and bone, and were exchanged by both men and women to symbolise their eternal love.
Over time, the wedding ring evolved into a metal band, and different cultures developed their own beliefs and traditions surrounding it. For instance, the ancient Romans believed that the "vena amoris" or "vein of love" ran from the fourth finger on the left hand directly to the heart, and thus placed the wedding ring on this finger.
The first well-known use of a diamond engagement ring was by Archduke Maximillian of Austria in 1477, who commissioned a ring for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy. The ring was made of small flat diamonds that spelled out Mary's initial, 'M'. This sparked a trend among European nobility and aristocracy, who could afford such luxuries.
During the Renaissance, engagement rings began to feature diamonds, though most commoners could not afford them until the discovery of South African diamond mines in the 19th century. In the 12th century, the Christian church declared marriage to be a holy sacrament and established a church ceremony, with rings as part of it. It is believed that two different types of rings emerged at this time: the engagement ring and the wedding ring.
In the 1800s, diamond engagement rings were still largely the domain of the nobility and aristocracy, and commoners often opted for simpler bands. However, in 1852, the Koh-i-Noor diamond was re-cut and embellished in Queen Victoria's crown, triggering a diamond rush worldwide. In the United States, the popularity of diamond engagement rings declined after World War I, and even more so after the Great Depression.
In 1938, the diamond cartel De Beers launched a marketing campaign to boost diamond sales, which included educating the public about the 4 Cs (cut, carats, colour, and clarity) and the now-famous slogan "A Diamond is Forever", introduced in 1947. The campaign was a success, and diamond engagement rings became a symbol of everlasting love and commitment worldwide.
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World War II and men's wedding rings
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is an ancient one, dating back thousands of years. The practice has evolved over time, with various cultures and religions adopting their own rituals and symbolism. The wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, which is believed to contain the "vena amoris" or "vein of love" that leads directly to the heart. This belief originated with the ancient Egyptians and was later adopted by the Romans, who also popularised the use of rings in wedding ceremonies.
During World War II, there was a significant shift in the tradition of men's wedding rings. Prior to this period, men's wedding bands were not a common practice in America and other Western cultures. The dominant sex during this time did not feel the need to display their dedication to their wives. However, with the outbreak of World War II, men, especially those in the military, began to wear wedding bands as a way to remind them of their wives back home and to demonstrate their commitment while they were overseas. This new tradition was largely popularised by American and European soldiers during the war, and it continued through the Korean War.
The emergence of men's wedding rings during WWII can be seen as a way for soldiers to stay connected to their loved ones and find comfort in their relationships while facing the uncertainties and dangers of war. It also served as a physical reminder of the love and support waiting for them back home. This trend marked a shift in societal norms, challenging the traditional gender dynamics and expectations of the time.
The practicality of men's wedding bands during WWII is also worth noting. With the restrictions on the manufacture of jewellery in countries like Britain, "utility" wedding rings were forged from 9-carat gold instead of the traditional 22-carat. These rings were lighter and more durable, making them suitable for soldiers to wear in harsh conditions.
Following WWII and the Korean War, men's wedding rings gradually gained popularity among civilians. The post-war era likely influenced this shift, as returning soldiers continued to wear their wedding bands, normalising the practice within their communities. Over time, men's wedding rings became more widely accepted and integrated into marriage traditions around the world.
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Wedding rings in Eastern Orthodox services
The wedding ring is one of the oldest marital traditions, with the exchange of rings dating back 3,000 years. In Eastern Orthodox services, the wedding ceremony is steeped in ancient symbolism and rituals. The wedding is comprised of two main parts: the Betrothal and the Crowning.
The Betrothal
The Betrothal is the first part of the Eastern Orthodox wedding ceremony. During this part of the ceremony, the priest formally asks the couple if they wish to marry each other and if they have already committed themselves to anyone else. The priest then blesses the rings and places them on the couple's right ring fingers to symbolise their union. The rings are exchanged three times by the couple's wedding sponsor, or koumbaros, to symbolise the give and take of a happy marriage and how the couple will balance each other's strengths and weaknesses. The priest makes the sign of the cross three times in front of the groom's forehead, and then three times in front of the bride's forehead, while reciting a blessing.
The Crowning
The Crowning is the second half of the Eastern Orthodox wedding and is considered the most visually compelling part of the ceremony. The couple is crowned 'king' and 'queen' of their household. The koumbaros presents the couple with two crowns joined by a white ribbon, symbolising their unity. The priest places the crowns on the couple's heads while they face the altar, and then the crowns are swapped three times. The couple is given lit candles to hold, symbolising their spiritual willingness to receive God's blessings.
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Frequently asked questions
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings dates back 3,000 years. Wedding rings have been worn on various fingers throughout history, including the ring finger on both hands and the thumb.
The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on the left-hand ring finger is believed to originate from a myth from Roman times. The Romans believed that the ring finger on the left hand contained a vein that was connected directly to the heart, known as the Vena Amoris or "Vein of Love".
In the Western world, wedding rings are worn on the left hand. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, wedding rings are traditionally worn on the right hand.
Wedding rings can be made of various materials, including gold, silver, grass, rope, leather, and metal. In ancient Rome, wedding rings were made of gold.
