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Roman Key Ring made of iron and worn by the wife.

Why Do Couples Exchange Rings with Vows? The Elusive Ancient Origins of Wedding Rings

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The image of a couple exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony is instantly recognizable, and is held as an ancient tradition. A ring on a certain finger indicates that the wearer is married, but many might be surprised to learn that the double ring ceremony so common today in the western world, in which a couple both exchange and wear rings, is a 20 th century convention. However, the origins of giving rings to commit to marriage, to pledge loyalty, or to symbolize a heart connection are ancient.

Said to be one of the oldest marital customs, it is one which has changed over time and across cultures, and so the true origins of wedding rings are somewhat elusive.

Ancient Egypt: Ring of infinity

Ancient Egyptians are said to have been the first to use rings in a wedding ceremony, as early as 3000 BC. Rings were made of braided hemp or reeds formed into a circle—the symbol of eternity, not only for the Egyptians, but many other ancient cultures. The hole in the ring’s center represented a gateway or door leading to future events. These rings were placed on the fourth finger of the left hand (known as the ring finger) as Egyptians believed a vein ran from that finger straight to the heart, and this practice is said to be the origins of many later traditions. These rings were placed by a man upon the finger of his wife, signifying his confidence in her ability to care for his house.

Reed rings were not very durable, and eventually rings made of bone, leather or ivory came into use. As more expensive materials were used, the value of the ring represented the degree of wealth of the giver, as well as the quality of love shown.

“Vena Amoris” or the Vein of Love: The ring finger was thought to connect directly to the heart, and in ancient beliefs it possessed magical properties.

“Vena Amoris” or the Vein of Love: The ring finger was thought to connect directly to the heart, and in ancient beliefs it possessed magical properties. (Michiel1972 from nl/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Ancient Rome: Purchasing a bride

The Romans continued the tradition of the wedding ring, but the ring was often given by the groom to the father of the bride, and served as a symbol of bride purchase.  By the second century BC, the bride herself was given an expensive gold ring as an indication the groom trusted her with his valuable property, but it was only worn in public, and was not used during household work. Instead, a plain betrothal or engagement ring of iron, called Anulus Pronubus, was worn at home, and on the iron ring sometimes sported a tiny key shape. These rings signified strength, permanence, and a control over the giver’s possessions, which could be ‘locked away’ at the wearer’s discretion.

Rings could be worn on any finger, but the Greeks and Romans wore these wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, for they too believed in the hand-heart connection, and felt that the Vena Amoris, or Vein of Love, coursed between the ring finger and the heart.

Two left hands forming an outline of a heart shape. Both hands are wearing a wedding ring.

Two left hands forming an outline of a heart shape. Both hands are wearing a wedding ring. (CC BY 2.0)

It is also said the Romans were the first to engrave wedding rings.

The distinctive Claddagh rings that depict hands holding a crown or heart date back to Roman times and the design symbolizes friendship, loyalty, oaths, faith and love. These were used as engagement and wedding rings in the Middle Ages and Renaissance Europe.  The rings as they’re currently known were made in Ireland in the 17th century, and are traditionally passed down from mother to daughter.

Claddagh Ring was used during wedding ceremonies.

Claddagh Ring was used during wedding ceremonies. (Royalcladdagh/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Jewish traditions placed wedding rings on the middle finger or the thumb, but are now most commonly placed on the index (pointer) finger. Wedding Ring Origins writes of the imposing rings used in ancient Hebrew weddings:

“This curious ring was shaped like the roof of a Jewish temple, and was so large and clumsy that it could not be worn in the ordinary manner. Many times it was the property of the synagogue and was borrowed for the event, for it was needed during only a portion of the ritual and was then removed. It has even been said that these huge, elaborate rings were used to hold myrtle branches at weddings.”

Medieval Wedding Contracts

It was not until about 860 that Christians used the ring in marriage ceremonies, as it was once considered a pagan tradition by the church, but that sentiment changed after the church started performing official marriages.

Byzantine wedding ring, depicting Christ uniting the bride and groom, 7th century, gold

Byzantine wedding ring, depicting Christ uniting the bride and groom, 7th century, gold (Public Domain)

Wedding rings were in many cases representative of the exchange of valuables, and a sign of tangible money.

In The Book of Common Prayer (1549), after the words “with this ring I thee wed”, it is written “This gold and silver I give thee,” whereupon the groom was to hand coins to the bride. This sentiment reflected a time when marriage was not necessarily a union of lovers, but a contract between families, and a way to ensure the economic security of the young couple. Rings were even sometimes given conditionally, as demonstrated in an old German marriage vow, “I give you this ring as a sign of the marriage which has been promised between us, provided your father gives with you a marriage portion of 1000 Reichsthalers.”

Similarly, traditional early East Asian wedding rings were regarded as a seal for a legal contract. Puzzle rings were common. This was a ring that was said to be in many different pieces, and difficult to put on. It fell apart when removed, and therefore the husband would know if the wife ever took it off in his absence.

 

Renaissance Romance

During the Renaissance, Gimmel rings, a type of puzzle ring, originated in France and were a popular gift to the bride. These wedding bands would be made of two interlocking bands—one for the bride, and one for the groom. The two halves would be connected at the wedding, and then the wife would wear it thereafter. The two rings, like the two lovers, became one, and these rings were said to have come from an old custom in the Middle East.

During this era wedding rings were worn on various different fingers, including the thumb. Britons wore theirs on the middle finger of either hand. In ceremonies in many cultures the ring would be worn on one hand before the wedding, and transferred to the other during the ceremony.

In Victorian times in Europe and America rings became more lavish, highly embellished, and incorporated gold and precious gems from around the world, such as sapphire, topaz, ruby, amethyst, and pearl. It became popular to have a wedding ring designed to look like a snake, as Queen Victoria’s husband, Albert, gave her a snake engagement ring. Snakes, like the circular band, were symbols of eternity.

Rings are not traditional in Indian or Muslim weddings, although engagement or betrothal rings were quite prevalent. Indian brides received a golden charm on a necklace, and elaborate silver toe rings displayed marital status.

An ancient Indian tradition: the ceremony welcoming the newly wed bride, wearing toe rings, to her new home, with her feet dipped in a mixture of milk and alta (lac dye).

An ancient Indian tradition: the ceremony welcoming the newly wed bride, wearing toe rings, to her new home, with her feet dipped in a mixture of milk and alta (lac dye). (CC BY-SA 2.0)

It wasn’t until the 1940s that men’s wedding rings became popular in the western world. They were worn during wartime as a demonstration of remembrance and commitment to wives while overseas. After World War II, the tradition held and men’s wedding rings are now as commonly worn as women’s.

The wedding ring is an ancient symbol of commitment and vow of loyalty that has spanned the ages, and will undoubtedly remain a pledge of love for aeons to come.

A groom placing a wedding ring on the finger of his bride during a wedding ceremony.

A groom placing a wedding ring on the finger of his bride during a wedding ceremony. (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Featured image: Roman Key Ring made of iron and worn by the wife. (Photograph by Rama, Wikimedia Commons, Cc-by-sa-2.0-fr)

By: Liz Leafloor

References

WEDDINGRINGORIGINS. “ Origins of the wedding ring” 2013. WeddingRingOrigins.com [Online] Available here.

 “50 Wedding Traditions and Superstitions”. 2015. TheKnot.com [Online] Available here.

Thadani, Rahul. "Wedding Ring Finger". 2010. Buzzle.com [Online] Available here.

Robb, Stephen. “ Wedding rings: Have men always worn them?” 2011. BBC.com [Online] Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12986535

Viegas, Jennifer. " Gift List Circa 50,000 B.C.: Photos". 2014. LiveScience.com. [Online] Available here.

Perron, Celeste. “ Wedding Ring History, Traditions, and Trends.” 2014. BrilliantEarth.com  [Online] Available here: http://www.brilliantearth.com/news/wedding-ring-history-traditions-and-trends/

 

Comments

what rings were on tuts fingers ? And I bet Cleopatra when found, she will have rings as well :)

Many ancient European tribes had the hand fasting ritual as a sign of marriage. the right hands of the bride and groom were tied together to signify the bond. I am reminded me of a comment of a female comedian who said that the idea of "til death do us part" came into existence when no one lived past the age of 35.

Liz

Liz Leafloor is former Art Director for Ancient Origins Magazine. She has a background as an Editor, Writer, and Graphic Designer. Having worked in news and online media for years, Liz covers exciting and interesting topics like ancient myth, history,... Read More

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