Ancient History of Wedding Rings

It’s a common topic, the history of diamond rings, wedding jewelry. You’ve probably heard the spiel ‘Engagement rings are made up by advertising agencies!’ It’s a common misconception. The truth of the matter is that rings have been given between couples as they exchange vows of love for millennia. The styles may have changed, but the significance has always been around.

The first examples of wedding rings are found in ancient Egypt. Relics and scrolls dating back 6,000 years have evidence of the trading of rings, often of braided reeds or hemp, between spouses. The symbology of the ring represented eternity to the Egyptians. The placement of the ring, on the ring finger of the left hand, also comes from an Egyptian and later Roman belief in a Vein of Love.

The modern lineage of ring exchanging has its roots in Europe in the Middle Ages and when Christians adopted the practice. These rings were often highly decorative, though church reform would later cause the style to fluctuate between decorative and more conservative simple rings. This practice of course then proliferated further into the common culture. While, traditionally it was only wives who wore rings, the modern ‘double-ring’ ceremony, in which both spouses offer and receive rings was largely adopted by American innovation in the 20^th century, causing hiccups in orthodox religious ceremonies that feature single-ring customs.

While the style of rings, from the Gimmel rings of the 16^th and 17^thcentury to Poesy rings (and a subject for another day!) and their traditions and customs around their giving have changed over time, they have almost always been a symbol. Their significance as symbols of love and vows exchanged have remained apart of culture almost as eternal as what they represent. If giving your loved one a ring is just a gimmick; it’s one people have always particularly enjoyed.