History of Wedding Rings
Wedding Rings have appeared on fingers of men and women throughout history. While today’s wedding rings are substantially different from their early ancestors, the idea behind them is still essentially the same: they are markers of a unique lifelong union between two individuals who will be starting their own beautiful family together. But where did the idea of the wedding ring really come from?
The first mention of a wedding-like ring dates all the way back to ancient Egypt. It is believed that ancient Egyptians would wear rings fashioned out of woven plants that represented never-ending love for their husband, wife, Pharaoh or god. In fact, the tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the left finger of your left hand also dates back to the times of the great pyramids. The Egyptians believed that a special vein ran straight from the heart to the tip of the ring finger. Although science has since proven this to be incorrect, the tradition of wearing the ring on the fourth finger of the hand is still practiced today.
The Greeks and Romans followed a similar tradition, but their wedding was a bit less romantic. Most of their weddings were arranged marriages that could be compared to familial business transactions involving the woman’s dowry. In these times the wedding ring was typically seen as a symbol of ownership rather than a symbol of true love.
In Asia and the Middle East, puzzle rings became a popular gift from husband to wife. These rings were real brain teasers that fell apart when they were taken off and were terribly difficult to put back together once removed. Rich husbands would frequently require their wives to wear a puzzle ring while they were away to keep them from flirting with other men. If his wife ever took the ring off, he would know immediately upon his return: she would not know how to put it back on again.
Many religions also require a ring exchange or some sort of ring ritual during the marriage ceremony. Some traditions requisition an exchange rings before the ceremony as a rite of betrothal, while other traditions celebrate a second exchanging rings years at the 25th wedding anniversary.
What is considered today in America to be the “traditional” wedding ring custom is actually rather new. This exchange of rings between man and wife during the marriage ceremony that symbolizes their devotion to one another became popular during World War II. Before the war, most men didn’t wear wedding rings. When the war started and more and more young men were being shipped off to Europe, they wanted a memento of their wife and family back home. Thus the tradition of exchanging a men’s wedding ring and a women’s wedding ring was born.
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