Why Do People Wear Wedding Rings?
In many countries, the wedding ring has come to symbolize commitment and marital status. Women have traditionally worn wedding rings since Ancient Egyptian times. Wedding rings for husbands are a more modern practice. Various cultures or countries have different traditions regarding wedding jewelry. Does this Spark an idea?
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The Ancient Egyptians
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The Ancient Egyptians began the tradition of wedding rings for brides. They fashioned rings from twisted hemp to represent immortal love. The ring's circular shape represented unending love.
Ancient Roman Tradition
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The Ancient Romans adopted the Egyptian tradition, fashioning rings from iron or other metals. The Romans began the tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the "ring" finger because they believed the third finger contained the "vena amoris" or love vein, which connected the finger directly to the heart. The Romans may not have been as romantic as they seem. The band represented ownership. In Ancient Rome, wives were considered chattel or property of men. Slaves wore similar rings.
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History in Other Cultures
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About 2,000 years ago in the Middle East, sultans and sheiks required silver puzzle rings be worn by their many wives. There is evidence these rings were imported from China along the Silk Road. As in other cultures, the rings represented devotion to husbands as masters.
Middle Ages and Beyond
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During the Middle Ages, silver and gold rings became increasingly popular. Many of these rings were decorated with symbolic gems. Rubies represented pure hearts; blue sapphires represented the heavens. Diamonds represented the powerful bond between the bride and groom. The ring was still an economic rather than romantic symbol. Rings represented a change of ownership of the bride from the father to the husband. During Colonial times, Puritans were discouraged from wearing jewelry of any kind. Some women fashioned wedding rings from wedding thimbles.
Modern Traditions for Women
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Many women today continue to wear a wedding ring on the left hand. In some European countries, women wear the ring on the right hand. During the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, the ring is placed on the index or pointer finger.
Wedding Rings and Men
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Wedding rings for men became more accepted during World War II. Soldiers wore rings to represent commitment to wives at home. Today, some men choose to wear or forgo wedding rings for various professional or cultural reasons. Some men wear wedding rings, like women, to represent the commitment they have made. Other men choose not to wear rings because they avoid jewelry or because cultural or religious traditions discourage rings for men.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit macro of wedding ring inscription image by Margaret M Stewart from Fotolia.com
