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 The tradition of the wedding ring: origin and meaning

A true emblem of marriage, the wedding ring is an essential accessory that seals the union between two spouses. Preceded by the traditional engagement ring, the wedding ring originated in ancient Rome. What did the ring signify at that time? What are its origin and history? Decryption.

An ancient tradition

The tradition of the wedding ring dates back to ancient Rome. It was then a pagan custom.

You should know that at the time, the wedding rings exchanged during the ceremony were based on the same meaning as today. These rings represented the commitment between the two spouses, of the order of the marriage contract. The spouses, therefore, wore a simple ring whose round shape, which has neither beginning nor end, then represented eternity, but also love, passion, life, and fidelity.

Since 800, the wedding ring is a tradition taken over by the Catholic Church. Thus, the spouses exchange the rings during the consent and the exchange of their vows.

Why do we put the ring on the ring finger, and on the left hand? Quite simply because it is the side of the heart. Also, in the third century, doctors of the time claimed that the ring finger was connected by certain nerves to the heart: the Vena Amoris. This popular belief, unfounded today, persists in the imagination of some people. Others think that wearing their ring on the left hand allows less wear since the majority of people are right-handed.

In France, from the Middle Ages until the end of the 16th century, it was customary to wear the wedding ring on the right ring finger. Subsequently, the ring returns to the left side. However, it should be noted that some countries have retained the wearing of the ring on the right side (United Kingdom, Poland, Hungary, etc.).

What were wedding rings made of?

Over the years, wedding rings were not made with the same materials. These evolved according to the available resources.

During Antiquity, tradition dictated that wedding rings be made with rush, reed, or papyrus, which were very present. However, these materials were not very strong and therefore broke easily.

Over time, the rings were made with more resistant materials: ivory, bone, and leather, then bronze, iron, and brass. It was during ancient Rome that the inscriptions inside the ring were born. It was then a sign of the belonging of the woman to the man.

In the 13th century, the first gold rings appeared and were just simple rings. It was not until the 18th century that the stones were set on these gold rings. The types of stones had different meanings:

The diamond: eternity, purity;

Ruby: passion ;

Emerald: Hope.

Since the 16th century, the shapes of the rings have now diversified.

How to choose your alliance?

Several criteria can be taken into account to choose your wedding ring. This is a ring that we keep for years, even a lifetime around the finger. It must therefore be in line with the personality of the groom or the bride, but also respond to his personal tastes and the meaning that the spouses attribute to him.

Will therefore be taken into account for the choice of the wedding ring:

The shape of the hand: according to the morphology (thin fingers, large hands, etc.). The thinner the fingers, the more we are moving towards a thin ring.

The material and size of the ring: some couples appreciate having the same wedding bands, but of different thicknesses (thicker for men). Also, it is customary, if the bride and groom do not want money, for the rings to be in yellow gold for the men and in white gold for the women.

The engagement ring: indeed, some women are keen to choose a wedding ring that goes perfectly with their engagement ring, but it is not an obligation. For more fantasy, you can opt for a totally different ring! In order not to swear with the engagement ring, you can decide to put it on your right hand and keep your wedding ring on your left hand.

The engraving of the wedding ring: if you wish, you can have your name, your initials, the date of the wedding, a sentence dear to your couple, etc. engraved.

The traditions surrounding wedding rings are therefore different for each couple. Today, you can make your custom-made rings, according to your own criteria and the meaning you want to bring to them.