Wedding Ring 101: History, Types, What is Symbolize and More
The union of love between two people seems to be incomplete without the presence of wedding rings. A wedding ring is essential in any union because it is a timeless symbol of not just love but commitment. Love and commitment are two separate things. Both are deep human values that the wedding ring succinctly symbolizes.
But there is so much more to wedding rings than what it represents. It is an iconic artefact that has lasted for years and years because it is so much more than what it symbolizes. We will discuss all that and more in this post. In this post, you would learn more about:
- the history of wedding rings
- what the wedding ring truly symbolizes
- different types of wedding rings
- how to wear wedding rings
- wedding ring maintenance
Reading this post will make you ever appreciate the magic, bond, and love that the wedding ring holds. It will make you all the more excited to tie the knot. Read on and stay ever in love!
Wedding Rings: Its History
Humans have used wedding rings for thousands of years. It was essentially given as a sign of love and fidelity during ancient times. It was the Egyptians who started the tradition of giving wedding rings around 6,000 years ago. This means that humans used wedding rings even before Jesus Christ arrived. The Greeks and the Romans took after the tradition and its practice has spread since then. The best museums were able to keep old wedding rings from Europe that can clearly show how wedding ring trends evolved through time:
- Fede rings – were used during the 12th century. Had a design that showed two clasping hands. They look very similar to Irish Claddagh rings that are still worn today.
- Gimmel rings – were used during the 16th and 17th centuries. It was made of two interlocking bands that can be put together like a puzzle. They were worn before the wedding itself. The husband and wife then join both rings during the wedding.
- Poesy rings – were used during the Renaissance. They are called “poesy” rings because they were inscribed with a poem. They came in sterling silver and very much look like today’s promise rings.
Wedding Rings: What do they truly symbolize?
It is the wedding ring’s shape that truly speaks of what it symbolizes – a circle. Circles have been used since time immemorial to represent perfection, wholeness, totality, infinity, timelessness, the self, and eternity. Circles have also been utilized to represent God, not just in Christian faiths but in other religions as well. With a circle, there is no beginning and no end. This is what wedding rings represent in bonds of love. The binds of love that are – through ups and downs – ever perfect and ever eternal. This is why giving a wedding ring to the one that you love is a serious commitment. It equates to you saying that you will love the person until the end of time.
Different Types of Wedding Rings
The following are the four kinds of wedding rings that modern couples use:
1. Statement Ring – given to represent a statement. Could be love, friendship, or a special event in people’s lives.
2. Promise Ring – considered as a pre-engagement ring. This ring indicates that a couple is to be engaged in the future. A promise ring can also stand for any given promise between two people.
3. Engagement Ring – a ring given during a marriage proposal. This is given by the groom-to-be to the bride-to-be. No rules exist though that prohibit men from wearing engagement rings as well.
4. Wedding Ring – a ring that represents a couple’s unbreakable bond. It is a ring that is given during the wedding of two people. It is a ring shared by a married couple.
Traditions Involving Wedding Rings
Did you know that it was only recently that the groom also got to wear a wedding ring? Before, it was just the brides who wore wedding rings. This is because wedding rings used to be a sign of ownership. It’s a good thing that times have changed. Records show that it was a couple in the Netherlands in the 1800s who first wore wedding rings. It was only in the 20th century that couples in America followed suit.
How is a wedding ring worn?
Tradition dictates that couples should wear their wedding ring on the finger (ring finger) of the left hand. This has been the case since the early times because the Egyptians believed that this finger is the one that is directly connected to one’s love. The ring finger is even referred to as ‘vena amoris’ or ‘vein of love.’
Wedding Ring Maintenance
A wedding ring can be passed from one generation to the next. It is considered a family heirloom in most societies. For such to be possible, regular maintenance should be had. You simply have to do the following to maintain the beauty and radiance of your wedding ring:
- routine gentle maintenance with the use of cloth
- it’s best if the cloth is a soft and dry microfiber cloth
- cleaning with warm water and dish soap (you should only use a gentle kind of dish soap)
- making it appoint to prevent exposing the ring to harsh chemicals and solutions
- you can also bring your ring to a professional jeweller for a deep clean that will involve polishing and buffing.
