What Is The Meaning Of Wedding Rings
One of the first things you think of when you think marriage is wedding rings. Wedding rings symbolize the love, commitment, honor, and respect between two people. The following is a little history of the wedding ring and the traditions associated with the wedding and engagement rings.
The circle was first thought of as the symbol of eternity because the circle has no end or beginning. Rings dated back to Egyptian times but did not get incorporated into marriages until Roman times. By medieval times, rings were intricately designed, adorned with jewels and gems, and formed using gold or silver. Gold or silver was given as a sign the groom trusted his bride with valuable property. Diamonds and other jewels were placed on the wedding band to convey wealth and power. Diamonds were used in these rings along with other gems such as rubies and opals, each with different symbolic meanings. The medieval Italians were first to exclusively use the diamond for wedding rings. This hardest natural substance in the world, was first discovered in India was initially believed to promote love and combat the forces of evil. The diamond ring trend was widely promoted by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria.
The wedding band is usually placed on the fourth finger of the left hand. It was believed in earlier times that the vein in this finger was connected to the heart and now that wedding band would be connected and joined to the life of the one wearing the ring. The exchanging of rings between the bride and the groom, where both would wear a wedding band, was first introduced in the 1300’s, but wedding rings for men were practically unheard of until the around 1940 and has gradually increased to its popularity today. European tradition introduced the engraving of the name of the spouse to be engraved on the inside surface of the wedding ring.
Wedding rings are traditionally preceded by the engagement ring. Other traditions include the exchange of promise rings before the engagement rings and symbolizes when serious relations develop. The tradition of the promise ring was in part due to jewelry trade.
During the ceremony, it is either the duty of the best man or a ring bearer, who is usually a young boy belonging to the family of either the bride or the groom, to present the rings to the bride and groom for exchange.
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