What is the Meaning Behind the Exchanging of Wedding Bands?
The exchanging of wedding bands is an ancient romantic custom symbolizing love faith and friendship that began with love-struck cave dwellers. Ancient wedding rings were woven out of rushes or locks of the beloved's hair, and because of their circular shape believed by ancient cultures to represent infinity, wholeness, perfection, and peace, the exchange of wedding bands symbolized a bond of eternal love.
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Beginnings
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The ring is an archetypal symbol instinctively used by early human ancestors to represent love. The cave dweller bound himself to his mate with a cord of woven rushes as a symbol that they were united in spirit. Ancient European Northerners viewed the circular lover's knot as a symbol of love, faith and friendship. The hair of the beloved was woven into a knot which was then worn as a ring.
Gift
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Among the ancient Hebrews, the lover's parents always selected his bride. This was followed an espousal, confirmed by oaths and accompanied by gifts. These gifts may have been the origin of the gift of the ring.
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Symbolism
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The ring in a symbol of eternity because of its circular shape. The circle also symbolizes the sun and the earth, bestowing perfection and peace.
Love
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It was no coincidence that the wedding rings are worn on the third finer of the left hand. The practice is based upon a Grecian fable that the artery from that finger flows directly to the heart so just as lovers' hearts are metaphorically entwined, the ring which symbolizes that love is physically entwined to the lover's heart. The particular finger is also said to be favored from an old custom of placing the ring on the first finger in "the name of the Father," on the second in "the name of the Son" and on the third in "the name of the Holy Ghost," according to the Jewelry Experts website.
Significance
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The significance of the wedding ring was defined by the Bishop Isidore of Seville in the Seventh century, according to the Engagement Rings And Things website. "It was given by the spouser to the espoused whether for a sign of mutual fidelity or still more to join their hearts to this pledge and that therefore the ring is placed on the fourth finger because a certain vein is said to flow from thence to the heart,” the bishop decreed.
Convention
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The ring became a formal requisite for marriage in the 12th century, when Pope Innocent III ordained that marriages must be celebrated in the church, complete with a wedding ring. There were other cultural variations, as in Persia where everyone who attended the wedding ceremony was given a ring by the bridegroom.
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References
- Photo Credit wedding ring image by Andrzej Włodarczyk from Fotolia.com
