The Origin of Wedding Rings

Ah, weddings… who doesn’t love them? From the gorgeous decorations to the tear-jerking toasts, this special occasion is a celebration of love in all its glory. Having said that, have you ever stopped to wonder about the history of these celebrations and more importantly, the origin of wedding rings?

If so, you’ve come to the right place, because in today’s article, we’re going to talk about the the story behind the creation of wedding rings and how they came to be what they are today.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a chair and read on!

The Origin of Wedding Rings: Who Used Them First?

According to archaeological evidence, the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs were the first people to wear wedding bands. They placed a lot of emphasis on the structure of the accessory and its symbolism.

For them…

The Circular Shape of the Band	1) Represented eternity with no beginning or end 2) Reflected the shape of the sun and moon – which they worshipped
The Open Space in the Centre	Symbolized a gateway to the unknown

In terms of popularity, the Egyptian ouroboros band was undoubtedly the most common of the lot. Interestingly, this stunning design, which features a serpent devouring its tail, is one of the oldest symbols in the world. It was used to represent the eternal cycle of things and was greatly adored by people at the time.

Now that you know about the origin of wedding rings, let’s discuss their expansion into other cultures.

How Did Wedding Bands Become Known in Different Cultures?

• It All Started With Alexander the Great

He was a mighty Greek king who conquered Egypt. It was through his conquest that the Greeks first learned about the wedding band. Needless to say, they were quite enamored with it and eventually decided to adopt the tradition of gifting bands to their lovers to show their devotion. Unlike the Egyptians however, many of these bands featured images of Cupid or Eros (the Greek God of love).

• The Tradition Was Later Passed on to the Romans

This, of course, happened only after the Romans invaded Greece! After which, the tradition of giving copper and iron bands in wedding ceremonies started. These pieces sometimes featured key motifs which represented a wife’s control over the household goods.

Also read: Engagement Ring Buying Guide

Interestingly, by the 2nd Century CE, most of the bands used were made from gold. As time went on, luxury became the name of the game and the once simple gold wedding band became more and more extravagant. In fact, from the 3rd and 4th Centuries CE onward, these bands were commonly used to flaunt the giver’s wealth.

During this period, the fede ring was extremely popular. It featured two hands clasped together and symbolized partnership, friendship and the marriage contract. What made this intricate design more stunning was the fact that it was often covered with gold. It was even carved as intaglios into semi-precious gems like garnet, amethyst, carnelian and onyx, for example.

Eventually, the Romans fell in love with the idea of personalizing their bands and did so by carving portraits of themselves into the same.

Did You Know?

That the tradition of wearing your wedding band on the fourth finger of your left hand is an extremely old one. Ancient Egyptians were the first ones to practise this custom as they believed that the ring finger contained the ‘vena amoris,’ also known as the ‘vein of love.’ This vein was said to lead directly to one’s heart. And while it isn’t true, the history behind this belief has definitely helped keep the tradition alive.

Also read: How to Upgrade an Engagement Ring

So, How Did Wedding Bands Evolve?

While the quintessential wedding band was constantly in a state of evolution, it was during Mediaeval times that drastic changes began to occur. During this period, Europeans started to embellish their bands with precious gems. This was done to enhance the symbolism of the piece. Here, diamonds stood for steadfast strength, rubies represented passion and sapphires were used to symbolize the heavens.

Read more: 10 Engagement Ring Proposal Ideas

Later, during the 1600s, they started to incorporate the fede motifs into gimmel rings (accessories with two to three interlocking bands). Needless to say, these bands were quite popular and were often worn by the newly engaged.

As per the tradition of the time, each partner wore a single band during the engagement period. Later, during the wedding ceremony, the groom would place his band on the bride’s finger, thereby, locking the two bands together into a matched set. This set was known for its intricate design which featured two right hands being clasped together.

Around the same time, the fede motif evolved into the Claddagh ring motif. It typically featured two hands holding a heart. Believe it or not, this motif was also carved into gimmel rings. Here, the set in question generally had a third band which showcased two hands holding a gem in between.

Know more: How To Find The Average Gemstone Carat Size For An Engagement Ring?

Eventually, during the Renaissance and Elizabethan eras, posey rings became the object of everyone’s affection. These bands were defined by the poetry which was inscribed either inside or outside the same.

It’s worth noting here that the people’s love for wedding bands did not extend to colonial America. Puritans, for example, considered jewellery to be quite frivolous and therefore, presented thimbles to their wives instead of bands. Once married, the brides would use these thimbles to sew clothes and other textiles for their new house. They would then saw off the top portion of their thimbles to make rings.

Also read: Birthstone Engagement Rings

Diamond Wedding Bands: When Did Women First Start Wearing Them?

Records state that the first diamond wedding band ever used dates back to the late 1300s or early 1400s. It was left by an English widow in her will.

Wedding Bands: When Did Men Start Wearing Them?

Believe it or not, it wasn’t until the last century that men actually started wearing wedding bands. This practise was promoted by the Catholic church to prevent men from cheating.

What’s more, the tradition of dual rings only got off the ground during World War II when European and American soldiers wore their wedding bands to remember their partners back home. This practise was even present during the Korean war, post which most civilian men started following the same.

Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings: When Did the Two Separate?

Unlike the weddings of today, the act of tying the knot was done without much fanfare in Mediaeval Europe. During this period, all the couple really needed to do was give their ‘present consent’ to each other. In most cases, this was done through the process of giving and accepting an object called ‘wed,’ which was often a ring.

Read more: What are Promise Rings

Hence, a ‘wedding’ was nothing but a ceremony during which the man gave his partner a band and she accepted it. This was especially true during the 8th century. That said, it’s worth noting here that the attendance of witnesses and clergymen wasn’t required during this ceremony. This eventually resulted in a lot of confusion as one or both partners often denied that the wedding even took place.

To put a stop to this, the Catholic church deemed marriage to be a holy sacrament during the 12th century and created a church ceremony for the same. Naturally, bands were a large part of this ritual and it eventually became a rule that a man could only place a ring on a woman’s finger if he wanted to marry her.

This proved to be an issue as rings weren’t only used to symbolize marriage at this time. They were also considered to be a token of one’s devotion and were even used to represent one’s betrothal.

According to some people, this eventually led to the creation of two separate rings – the engagement ring and the wedding band.

Wedding Bands: What Do They Represent Today?

In today’s day and age, wedding bands are often used to represent the individuality of the wearer and the partnership that exists between the couple. They also symbolize the eternal love and commitment present within the relationship.

Now that you know more about the origin of wedding rings, their evolution and significance today, let’s move on to the different things you need to keep in mind when picking one for yourself.

What Should You Consider When Buying a Wedding Ring?

• Your Budget

As with all fine jewellery items, wedding bands can be an expensive affair. So, take a minute to consider your budget before you start searching for your piece.

Once you have a number in mind, we recommend splitting the cost between the different aspects of the band (the metal, gemstone, etc.) based on what you want to prioritize. This will help you get a piece that you’re truly happy with.

Know more: Which Hand and Finger Does a Wedding Ring Go On?

• Metal

Generally speaking, yellow gold is the most popular option when it comes to wedding bands. This is simply because it gives the piece a more traditional look. Having said that, if you’re looking for a more modern vibe, opt for either rose gold, white gold or platinum.

Apart from this, keep in mind that metals like rose and white gold are non-hypoallergenic. This essentially means that they could cause a negative skin reaction. As such, if you’re allergic to the metals present in the above-mentioned alloys, we recommend opting for a platinum ring.

• Gemstone

At Angara, we believe that a wedding band is only as good as its gemstones. For the best results, we suggest opting for a gem that has some kind of emotional value – like your birthstone, for example.

We also recommend paying attention to the quality grade and carat weight of the gem before buying your piece. This will enable you to get a ring well within your budget.

Also read: How to Pick an Engagement Ring: Everything You Need to Know