History of the Wedding Ring

Photo by Brad Camp Images

The most famous symbol of a man and a woman becoming husband and wife in the institute of marriage is the wedding ring.

Ancient Egyptian civilization made homes along the plains of the Nile River; this is where Pharaoh’s people became acquainted with the plants growing along the river bank, and they knew these plants would bring a fortune no one had ever had before. Growing alongside the river were sedges, rushes and reeds, as well as papyrus. Pharaoh’s people would twist and braid these plants into rings for the finger, starting the journey of the very first wedding ring.

The Egyptians designed the ring to be a circle shape; symbolizing eternity. The ring had no beginning and no end just like time itself. The circle shape was the symbol of the Sun and the Moon. There is no hole in the center of the ring, but rather a “door” leading to things/events both known and unknown. With all the emotions of love, hope, courage, and more, the characteristics of the circle were capturing the moment and future of eternity, making the ring the most precious gift to receive.

Just like we do today, the Egyptians wore the ring on the third finger of their left hand. The only finger that has a vein connected to our heart. Romans called it “Vena Amoris” which is Latin for ‘the vein of love”.

Many materials went into making the wedding rings such as hemp, leather, and bone. When metal emerged, it was a fast process to make the rings, which lead to an uneven and clumsy made ring. So for special wedding rings, they added a precious and semi-precious stones to make it extra special.

When the ring was given to the woman and she accepted it, this meant that she was the property of the man and that no one would be stealing her away. The ring also symbolized the strength of the love that the man felt for his bride. Sometimes the ring would not be given to the bride before or during the wedding ceremony, but rather as he picked her up and carried her into their new home.

Today there are many different styles of rings. Whether he designed it himself or if you both picked it out together, the ring is a symbol of love that the groom has for you.

Congratulations & Happy Planning!