Wedding Planning Website

Wedding Ring History

Wedding Rings: History and the Present

When a man and a woman come together in engagement and eventually marriage, they exchange wedding rings in order to symbolize their union. This tradition has looked different throughout various ages and cultures, but the time-honored exchange of rings is still strong in many cultures around the globe.

History

It is said that the practice of exchanging wedding bands began as early as Ancient Egyptian times. The man and woman would exchange a band made out of plant sections that were formed into circles. Different cultures then adapted this practice to several different forms. Some of these include the middle eastern “puzzle rings” that came apart when taken off the finger (as an “alarm system” against infidelity) and the American colonial “engagements thimbles” that were given to women, who often turned them into a sort of ring once they were married by cutting off the bottom portion of the thimble.

Present

These days, wedding rings are more lavish than plant cutting versions of old. Precious metals and fine jewels (usually diamonds) are used in the rings that couples now use to promise their lifelong love and fidelity to one another.

The most widely accepted precious metals that are used for wedding ring production are gold, platinum and silver. And, while diamonds are the number one option for marrying couples, a wide variety of other precious gems can be incorporated into the bands or they can even serve as a replacement for the traditional diamond.

The Point

While wedding rings are gorgeous to look at and are a deeply embedded part of our culture, the meaning behind wedding rings has not always been clear to all. In the old days, the exchanging of the rings also signified an exchange of wealth. In fact, in the oldest ceremonies, the groom would give the bride a ring along with a pouch of gold and silver at their wedding. In other ceremonies, the exchanging of the rings would be accompanied by a declaration of the “earnest money” that was paid by the bride’s father to the groom (presumably for her care).

Today, the wedding band has shifted in meaning and it is a symbol of promised fidelity, honor and love. The unbroken circle of the wedding ring symbolizes the unending nature of the love that exists between a husband and wife. In addition, it is said that the wedding ring is worn on the left hand, on the third finger, because the vein on that finger is thought to run directly to the heart and the left hand is closer to the heart than the right hand.

Whatever the traditions of old may have been and whatever modern day traditions are commonly held, the ultimate point of a wedding ring is to show the world that you have found your spouse, and that you belong to one another. With this in mind, wedding rings are an important and beautiful part of the process wherein two people become one. So why not enjoy it and choose engagement rings that adequately (or, lavishly) express your love for one another.

About the Author

In Russia, married couples wear their wedding rings on their right hand? ?

My history professor who is from Russia, has his ring on his right hand, and would be difficult to ask him.

They wear rings on their right hand, and if the ring is on the left hand, then that person is widowed or divorced.

Diamond Ring Wedding Theme Décor Celebrates The History of Love

Game Wallflowers Photo Mugs Players form a circle round a selected girl, singing She can dance and she can sing, she will wear a wedding ring. ....

Man And Pekingese Photo Mugs A French man sits with his two pekingese dogs on a cushion. ....

The New World [Music from the Motion Picture] $16.98 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed....

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Exchanging gold wedding-rings for iron from Mary Evans $29.99 Photo Puzzle, Exchanging gold wedding-rings for iron. Photograph showing German men and women in Berlin exchanging their gold wedding rings for iron in a bid to raise war funds. Date October 10th 1914. Chosen by Mary Evans. 10x14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5x7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper a...

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Game Wallflowers from Mary Evans $29.99 Photo Puzzle, GAME WALLFLOWERS. Players form a circle round a selected girl, singing She can dance and she can sing, she will wear a wedding ring. . Chosen by Mary Evans. 10x14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5x7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipped from our American lab...

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Woman In Factory/1971 from Mary Evans $29.99 Photo Puzzle, WOMAN IN FACTORY/1971. A female factory worker works on an automatic control for an air conditioning system. . Chosen by Mary Evans. 10x14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5x7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipped from our American lab....

Molly Brown: Unraveling the Myth $10.54 When Margaret Tobin Brown arrived in New York City shortly after her perilous night in Titanic’s Lifeboat Six, a legend was born. Through magazines, books, a Broadway musical, and a Hollywood movie, she became "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," but in the process her life story was distorted beyond recognition. Even her name was changed—she was never known as Molly during ...

How to Buy a Diamond: Insider Secrets for Getting Your Money's Worth, Sixth Edition $5.98 "Finally, one of the top diamond experts breaks the silence and demystifies the world of diamonds for regular folks like you and me." - Gregory J. P. Godek, author of 1001 Ways To Be Romantic Get Your Money's Worth on a Great Diamond Buying a diamond can be one of the most important and intimidating purchases you ever make. Whether you're getting engaged or married, or are buying for an anniversar...

Wedding Traditions and Customs Throughout The Centuries (English History and Rituals) $2.99 An illustrated book that explains wedding traditions and customs throughout the centuries. The book concentrates on England, but many of these traditions have transferred to other countries, especially the USA due to early immigration. As social photographers many couples often told us they intended having a 'traditional wedding'. Which immediately raised the question; 'Exactly which aspects of a ...

Saltbox Basketweave Brush Pencil Bag This may be a simple pouch, but it has loads of style. Saltbox's Basketweave brush and pencil bag will keep your beauty essentials together for traveling, while also showing off a pretty print....

Designer Titanium Wedding Ring $44.95 Designer Titanium Wedding Ring.

Wedding Ring Love $24.99 Wedding Ring Love - Photographic Print

Wedding Ring Arch, Utah $19.99 Wedding Ring Arch, Utah - Photographic Print

Hand with a Wedding Ring on It $79.99 Hand with a Wedding Ring on It - Premium Photographic Print

Carved CZ Titanium Wedding Ring $44.95 Carved CZ Titanium Wedding Ring.

Wedding Ring $65.33 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles A wedding ring or wedding band consists of a metal ring. Depending on the local culture, it is worn on the base of the right or the left ring finger. Such a ring symbolizes marriage: a spouse wears it to indicate a marital commitment to fidelity. The European custom of wearing such a ring has spread widely beyond Europe. According to some customs, the wedding ring forms the last in a series of gifts, which also may include the engagement ring, traditionally given as a betrothal present. This tradition was already in use in Ancient Rome and is possibly much older. Other more recent traditions, encouraged by the jewelry trade, seek to expand the idea of a series of ringgifts with the preengagement ring, often given when serious courting begins, and the eternity ring, which symbolizes the renewal or ongoing nature of a lasting marriage, sometimes given after the birth of a first child; and a trilogy ring, usually displaying three brilliantcut round diamonds each, in turn, representing the past, present and future of a relationship. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 92 Publication Date: 2010/06/12 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.22 inches

Wedding Ring on Finger $24.99 H. Armstrong Roberts Wedding Ring on Finger - Photographic Print

The Measure for the Wedding Ring, 1855 $34.99 Michael Frederick Halliday The Measure for the Wedding Ring, 1855 - Giclee Print

CZ Wedding Ring Set $614.95 Diamond cz stones sparkle in a beautiful 14k gold wedding ring set. Center stone 1.25 carat equivalent..

14k Designer White Gold Milgrain Wedding Ring $1189.95 14k Designer White Gold Milgrain Wedding Ring.

14k White Gold Milgrain Wedding Ring $919.95 14k White Gold Milgrain Wedding Ring.

6mm 14k Yellow Gold Milgrain Wedding Ring $719.95 6mm 14k Yellow Gold Milgrain Wedding Ring.

14k Yellow Gold Milgrain Wedding Ring $919.95 14k Yellow Gold Milgrain Wedding Ring.

Flat Bezel Set CZ Tungsten Wedding Ring $39.95 Flat Bezel Set CZ Tungsten Wedding Ring.

14kt Two Tone Channel Wedding Ring $1179.95 14kt Two Tone Channel Wedding Ring.

14k Satin and Polished Split Wedding Ring $929.95 14k Satin and Polished Split Wedding Ring.

14kt Two Tone Double Channel Wedding Ring $1179.95 14kt Two Tone Double Channel Wedding Ring.

1.00ctw Diamond Prong Set 14K Wedding Ring $1639.95 1.00ctw Diamond Prong Set 14K Wedding Ring.