The Evolution of the Wedding Ring
We all know that the easiest way to find out if someone is married is to check their left hand for a little band of gold or silver. The wedding ring has long been the “symbol of unending love and faithfulness” and is arguably the most important element to remember on your wedding day.
Let’s take a look at the evolution of the wedding ring throughout history, from its humble beginnings to where it is today.
Ancient Egyptian Wedding Rings
No one can give an accurate date for the birth of the wedding ring, but many would argue the tradition began with the Ancient Egyptians. Starting in around 3000 BC, wedding ceremonies would include a ring made of rushes and reeds worn by the bride. These all-natural, braided wedding rings were later replaced with sturdier creations made of ivory, leather or bone, and the quality of the ring would be a way to show off the giver’s wealth and declare the significance of his love. Placed on the fourth finger of the left hand (according to the Egyptian belief that a vein ran from here straight to the heart), the ring was an outward sign that a man trusted his wife with his household.
Ancient Roman Wedding Rings
In Ancient Rome, the groom would give the wedding ring to the Father of the bride instead, as the ring was used to symbolise the purchase of the bride – certainly not a tradition that stood the test of time! Eventually the bride was given the ring instead; in fact, she was given two rings. An expensive gold ring was worn in public, but behind closed doors, a more practical ring of iron was worn, which signified the permanence of the union and would sometimes include a key to show the wearer’s control over the giver’s possessions.
Medieval Wedding Rings
At first, Christians did not give wedding rings as they thought it as a pagan tradition, but by 860 AD the church was performing official wedding ceremonies in which the giving of rings was included. Interestingly, wedding rings were less representative of the lifelong commitment and were seen as a simple exchange of valuables. In some ceremonies, the groom would even give coins to the bride, to show that he would provide economic security.
Renaissance Wedding Rings
During the Renaissance, wedding rings began to diversify and could be worn on different fingers, even the thumb! A popular tradition would be for the ring to be worn on one hand before the wedding, and moved to the other hand as part of the wedding ceremony. France started the tradition of the Gimmel ring, which was given to the bride and was made up of two interlocking bands. Worn by the bride after the wedding, the two halves would be connected like puzzle pieces to represent the bride and groom.
Modern Wedding Rings
The wedding rings we are familiar with today started to take shape in the Victorian era, when it was popular to have a more lavish ring created with precious stones and embellishments. Although some people prefer a plain wedding ring nowadays to complement their engagement ring, it is still common to find wedding rings set with diamonds or coloured gemstones.
It was not until the start of WWII that men started to wear wedding rings as a reminder of their wives while fighting away from home. The tradition has stuck, although some men choose not to wear a ring due to their line of work or simply as a matter of preference.
If you’re getting married soon and would like some help choosing your wedding rings, we’d be happy to help. Come and visit us in Margate or Ramsgate and speak to one of our experts!