The History and Symbolism Behind Wedding Bands
Wedding bands are a traditional but sentimental part of a wedding ceremony. When two individuals come together to celebrate their union, a wedding band symbolizes that ceremony. It's a public declaration of relationship status and symbolizes the couple's love and commitment. This piece of jewelry holds different cultural significance in various cultures.
Are you curious about the history and significance of wedding bands in a marriage ceremony? This article covers all you need to know about this subject.
The Symbolism of Wedding Bands
The joining of two people together for eternity has always been a sacred ceremony. All over the world, wedding bands represent different meanings to different cultures. Many cultures drew meaning from the shape and design of the rings. In Western culture, the circular shape of a wedding band signifies unending and eternal love. In India, rings are part of an ornate jewelry set that symbolizes the couple's commitment. However, the Jews have a traditional wedding band without embellishments, representing their commitment to simplicity and purity. It's said to be a constant reminder of the vows exchanged by the couples during their ceremony.
Wedding bands were worn on the fourth finger of the left hand with the belief that a vein known as Vena Amoris or the "vein of love" connected the fourth finger directly to the heart. This tradition is speculated to have originated from Ancient Egypt, where rings symbolize eternity. However, the Vena Amoris proved anatomically wrong. Notwithstanding, the placement of rings on the fourth finger has become the custom to date.
The History of Wedding Bands
The exchange of rings as a sign of eternity dates back to ancient Egypt and Greece. However, many people believe that exchanging rings began in ancient Rome. Roman weddings were not as elaborate as today's, and marriages were more about family alliance than love. Furthermore, the Romans used copper and iron and only recently began exploring gold ring options. Brides from wealthier families had two wedding bands, which they shuffled: an iron ring around the house and a gold ring, a statement ring to wear in public. Other cultures found it fascinating and adopted the tradition of exchanging rings; they recognized the commitment and love it symbolizes. Over time, the design of wedding bands has evolved in terms of materials used. Today, wedding bands are made of simple materials like gold or silver. In addition, the designs of wedding bands have progressed, incorporating gemstones and personal engravings to give a modern touch.
In Europe, during the medieval period, Christians introduced a wedding ritual where rings are presented as a part of the ceremony performed by the priest. The Gimmel rings, familiar in the Renaissance era, were made of two interlocking bands separated for the man and woman to wear during the engagement. Later on, they were returned to the bride, who would wear both rings after the marriage. After uncertainty began concerning World War II, marriage rates went up significantly, and jewelers began promoting wedding bands for men, which worked. By the end of the 1940s, 80% of U.S. couples exchanged rings with each other during the ceremony, which is what is still in existence today.
Shopping Wedding Bands at Bostonian Jewelers
It's interesting to see the timeless nature of wedding bands. It's also exciting to see how their designs, materials, and shapes have evolved. But one thing remained constant: the symbolism of these bands. There is also the love, purity, commitment, vows attached to them, and the promises of eternity they represent.
If you want to purchase a ring that does all the heavy lifting and declares your love to your bride, contact Bostonian Jewelers. Our amazing catalog can help you curate whatever ring design and embellishments you want.