Wedding rings in the ancient world

In the ancient world, the wedding ring not only represents the eternity of love, but also symbolizes the purchase of a bride, the control of the husband's property or the marriage contract.

The symbol of wedding rings in the ancient world

Ancient Egyptians may have been the first to use the ring during the wedding ceremony in 3000 BC. Rings made of hemp or reed reed in a circle, the symbol of eternal existence. The circular hole in the middle of the ring symbolizes the door to the future.

Claddagh ring has a hand shape that holds the heart and crown of the Romans.(Photo: Royalcladdagh).

The rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand by the Egyptians who believe that there is a vein running straight from finger to heart. The groom wears a ring on the bride's hand to express his trust in his wife's ability to take care of her family.

Because the grass rings were not durable, the Egyptians later used rings made from bone, skin or ivory. With more expensive materials, the value of the ring represents the level of wealth and love of the person who gave it.

The small key-shaped iron ring that ancient Roman women wear at home.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons).

The ancient Romans also had a tradition of giving wedding rings, but the ring was usually given to the bride by the groom and symbolized for the purchase of the bride . In the second century BC, brides were given precious gold rings, showing the groom's trust in his wife, but they only wore it in public. When doing housework, the woman wears an engagement or engagement ring made of iron called Anulus Pronubus . Sometimes, the iron ring has a small key, a symbol of health, eternity and control over the husband's property.

Rings can be worn at any finger, but the ancient Greeks and Romans wore wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand of belief that had a connection between this finger and the heart and the like. like the Egyptian.

The Romans were also the first to engrave wedding rings.Claddagh rings engraved with hands that embrace crowns or hearts originated from ancient Roman times and designed by symbolic rings of friendship, loyalty, trust and love. They were used as engagement rings and wedding rings in the Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries) and European Renaissance (14-17th century).

The gold wedding ring engraved with the image of God unites the bride and groom in the 7th century.

Around 860, Christians began to use rings in wedding ceremonies. In many cases, the ring represents the exchange of valuable assets, and is a tangible money. This thought reflects a time when marriage is not necessarily linked to lovers but marriage contracts between families and is a way to secure the couple's economy.

Similarly, in East Asia, wedding rings are regarded as seals for valid marriages . Multiple-piece rings are commonly used. They are difficult to wear and will separate when removed, so the husband knows his wife has removed the ring from his hand when he is absent.

During the Renaissance, the Gimmel ring originating from France was a popular gift for brides. This type of ring consists of two interlocking circles, one for the bride and one for the groom. Two half will be entered as a wedding and then the wife will wear it. Wedding rings in this period can be worn on many different fingers.

Solid engagement ring by Queen Victoria, England.(Photo: Vashi).

In Victorian times (1837-1901), in Europe and America, wedding rings were more luxurious and beautiful when crafted in gold and precious stones such as jade, rubies, quartz and pearls. boys The design of solid wedding rings like Queen Victoria's engagement ring in England has also become popular because snakes are also symbols of eternity.

Wedding rings are not traditional wedding items in India. Indian brides wear gold pendants and silver rings on their toes to show their married status.

Silver rings worn on Indian bridal toes.(Photo: Wikipedia).

In the 1940s, wedding rings for men began to become popular in the West. Men who wore rings during the war to show their remembrance and fidelity to his wife across the ocean. This tradition is still maintained after World War II.