Let’s start with the basics. Wedding rings are a token of a couples love, worn on the left hand of each better half. Traditional beliefs say that the blood vein on the left ring finger runs directly to your heart, which is referred to as the “Vena Amoris” or Vein of Love.
But where did it all begin? The oldest wedding rings that have been found are from the Ancient Egyptians. Western customs of the wedding ring can be traced back in history to the Romans and Greece. Most people in today’s society wear their rings day and night.
THE FIRST RINGS
Around 5,000 years ago, The Egyptians often used woven reeds or leather as their wedding “rings”. They had a very strong belief that the ring or circle was a powerful symbol. A circle represents eternal life and love. Rings were very highly regarded in Egypt.
Lovers Heads Rings were very popular in the Roman Era and carried on into the Byzantine Empire. These rings had the faces of both people who were getting hitched, sometimes depicting a cross with them.
Fede Rings were very popular in Europe for thousands of years. These rings can be seen with two hands clasping in a lovers agreement. Over time, these designs became more intricate and ornate. Today, the Claddagh ring is still often worn in the country of Ireland. The Claddagh ring has two hands holding a crown with a heart, and was first designed in the 16th century after the Fede ring of 13th century Rome.
Posy Rings are probably my personal favorite traditional style ring. It looks like a Lord of the Rings, ring! These circular bands of love have a poem inscribed on the inside of the ring. At first, these rings were bold and big, with really detailed designs. Over time, the rings became much more simple, and the poems on the inside became more personal. The change in design over time may show how marriages came from business transactions between families, or how marriages were founded purely on love. Historically, rings were made from simple melted gold coins. Sometimes less is more, and the true beauty is on the underside (where the poem is inscribed)!
Gimmel Rings, popular from 15th-17th century, was a ring on jewel steroids! These intricate, complex, downright amazing rings became even more magnificent with the advances in goldsmith techniques. The Gimmel rings typically consisted of 2-3 interlocking rings. The bride and groom would each wear a single band leading up to the wedding day. After the ceremony, the second band would be added to symbolize the joining of two people. These rings had beautiful stones, Fede hand designs, red hearts, and forget me not flowers.
Later designs also included depictions such as a skeleton and a baby (symbolizing life, death and an eternal love beyond this life).
Now, onto Diamond Rings. The oldest diamond ring found was made around 100 AD in Rome. Diamonds have always been valuable and tough, but their popularity vastly grew when technology permitted creation of the shiny, glittery diamonds we see today. Diamond engagement rings grew in acclaim over the 19th century, but did not become the norm until De Beers' launched their "Diamond is Forever" campaign. The first known use of a diamond ring to signify an engagement, was by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he was betrothed to Mary of Burgundy in the 15th century.
Modern design with a great halo setting. Gorgeous ring!
Copyright Ethan Righter
More people are steering away from the traditional diamonds.
Copyright Ethan Righter
TODAY’S TRADITIONS
With the intermingling and meshing of cultures within couples today, many traditions are being mixed and tweaked when joining hands. I love seeing couples create their own connection with what wedding rings truly mean to them. As a wedding photographs, I have even witnessed people steering clear of the diamond ring altogether, due to the awareness of “blood diamonds.” Some men now days even opt for a ring created from sturdy rubber material for safety reasons. After all, it is supposed to be a SYMBOL of love… and that may mean something different to everyone.
What’s next, you ask? TATTOO “RINGS”!