The Meaning Behind the Wedding Ring
The wedding ring is extremely symbolic in this day and age. In its simplest form, the wedding ring symbolizes a couples commitment to one another and a sign of eternal love. More than that, it symbolizes your honor and faithfulness towards your significant other. Exchanging wedding rings on your wedding day marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. There is no doubt that a wedding ring is a true sign of love for another individual, but what is the real meaning behind the wedding band? In this blog post, we take a look at the meaning and story behind the symbol of love that is the wedding ring.
What Does the Wedding Ring Symbolize?
Exchanging wedding rings is a long-established tradition that dates back to 6,000 years ago. The symbolism and custom of wearing wedding rings have become ingrained in many cultures around the world. The wedding ring was first documented when the ancient Egyptians made them from plants that grew alongside the Nile river. These rings were not very durable and were eventually replaced with materials like bone, leather, and ivory. The ancient Egyptians inscribed hieroglyphics onto their rings that symbolized eternal love and commitment. The symbolism that these rings provided in the ancient times still applies today.
Pride and Commitment
The wedding ring is a symbol for many important things and one of the most important things it stands for is commitment. When we notice someone wearing a wedding ring, in most cases that means they are fully committed to someone they truly love. Wedding rings symbolize gratification. When wearing a wedding ring, one tends to feel very prideful of their marriage. Women especially love showing off their beautiful and personal ring to the world.
The Meaning Behind the Circle
The circular shape of wedding rings is very deep and beautiful. A circle is a common symbol for infinity because it has no beginning or end. A circle is eternal and endless, just the way love should be. The circular shape symbolizes infinite never-ending love while the center hole is a path to the future.
The Placement of the Ring
There is a theory that the Romans started placed the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was commonly believed that finger contained the vein of love (vena amoris). The tradition of wearing the wedding band on the left ring finger has lasted to this day, although there are many European countries where it is standard to wear the ring on the ring finger of your right hand. In a Jewish wedding, it is standard for the groom to place the ring on the bride's pointer finger during the marriage ceremony. This is because the pointer finger is believed to be the most prominent in Jewish culture.
Engagement Ring Vs. Wedding Ring
The engagement ring is given during a marriage proposal. Wedding rings are typically exchanged during a wedding ceremony. The latter tends to be a much simpler ring whereas the engagement ring tends to be a bit flashier with large diamonds and gemstones. However, this isn't always the case and depends on the married couple. Engagement rings can be any ring and don't have to be a fancy expensive ring. In some cases, the engagement ring is also used for the wedding band.
The Evolution of the Wedding Ring
Metal wedding bands weren't introduced until in Ancient Rome, where the groom would present the bride with an iron ring. Before then, rings were made out of plants and other fragile materials. The Romans were also believed to have first utilized engravings on wedding bands. The durable metal bands used symbolized stability and strength.
In the United States, prior to World War II, it was common for just women to wear a wedding ring. However, during the war many of the men wore their rings as a sign of commitment while stationed overseas. After this, wedding ring sets became more popular among the people. Precious metals such as gold, platinum, and silver are extremely popular materials for wedding rings, and although those are still prominent in the wedding jewelry industry today, the variety of materials has greatly increased.
Patrick Adair Designs offers wedding bands in unique materials ranging from real meteorite originating in outer space to glowstone resin rings.
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