Know Everything About The Fascinating History of
Wedding Rings
Wedding rings
are one of the most recognized symbols of love and commitment from
all over the world. Few things transcend the cultural barriers, such
as "mama" for mother and a smile for a greeting.
It's amazing
to see how one small circular band of precious metal can instantly
say so much. Funny isn't it, that the wedding can cost thousands and
the slim gold or platinum band is a few hundred, yet lasts far longer
than the day itself, and is worn day after day, 24/7. A small hunk of
metal divides the available and the unavailable at the glimpse of an eye.
Which Hand for Wedding Rings?
The hand that
wedding rings are worn on varies from country to country and culture
to culture.
By default,
most people wear their wedding rings on the left hand.
Countries such
as Colombia, Germany, Greece, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, Serbia,
Spain, Ukraine and Venezuela traditionally wear their wedding
rings on the right hand.
There are also
certain cultures and religious beliefs such as Orthodox Christians
and Eastern Europeans who typically wear the wedding rings on the
right hand. And in Greece, since many are Orthodox Christians, they
also wear their wedding ring on the right hand.
Jewish women
will often wear their wedding bands on the right hand during
ceremony, and change their wedding rings to the left hand after the ceremony.
In the
Netherlands, catholic people wear their wedding rings on the left,
all others on the right but in Austria, Catholic people wear the
wedding bands on the right. What are Vietnamese wedding traditions?
With the majority of Vietnamese weddings now being Catholic, Catholic
Vietnamese families are known to exchange wedding bands at a separate
church ceremony. Modern Vietnamese weddings, due to Western
influence, exchange wedding bands between the bride and groom, but
still include giving jewelry to the bride.
For other
countries, it depends on region of the country, such as Belgium.
In parts of
India - a toe-rings (bichiya) are worn instead of wedding rings on a
finger - and increasingly worn along with finger wedding bands. An
Iron Bangle or "loha" is worn by women in eastern parts of
India, such as West Bengal.
Other customs,
perhaps more modern, include either partner wearing the other's
wedding rings on a chain around the neck instead of the ring finger
as more of a social statement of being married.
Materials of the Wedding Ring?
Metal, because
if it's durability is the most common material of wedding
rings, and the metal of choice, in order of popularity is: gold,
platinum, titanium, tungsten, nickel silver, stainless steel.
History
mentions rings of long ago were also made of hemp, wood, bone ... and
if you remember the old TV show Happy Days - a lifesaver candy.
The metal ring
often set with diamonds or other precious stones or gems.
Style of the Wedding Ring?
In French
speaking countries, especially France wedding
rings often consisted of 3 interwoven rings - representing the
virtues of faith, hope and love.
Russian
wedding bands typically consisted of 3 interlocking bands - gold,
white gold and rose.
Greek &
Anatolian (Turkey) wore puzzle rings, which are sets of interlocking
metal bands that arrange in a specific order to form a single ring.
If the spouse came home and found the ring in a different
arrangement, then it may have questioned the fidelity of the other.
Celtic wedding
rings are often engraved or embossed with a Celtic knot design to
symbolize oneness and continuity. The Claddagh design symbolizes fidelity.
For North
America, typically two rings are worn on the same finger - an engagement
ring, and a plain wedding
band. After first anniversary or child, a gift of an eternity
ring is given, typically a three ring combination. This tradition is
especially observed in the UK. In whatever culture, we exchange rings
as a vow of everlasting love and commitment to our partner, to stay
true to one another, and to walk down life's journey together to
experience the new and exciting facets of companionship and physical union.
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