Hello, brides! Have you ever stopped to think about the origin of wedding bands? Who started the tradition and what was the meaning behind it? If you’re dying to know the answer, take a break from wedding planning for a while and come and join us for a bit. Read these 10 fun facts about wedding rings and satisfy your curiosity this instant!
(1) Wearing wedding rings on the fourth finger on left hand dates back to the time of ancient Egyptians. According to Egyptian tradition, wearing wedding bands signify either a business contract or represent love and obedience. Furthermore, they believed that the vena amoris, or “vein of love,” through which the heart’s blood supply ran passes directly through the fourth finger on the left hand. Hence, wedding bands were worn on what we now know as the ring finger.
(2) When Alexander the Great conquered the Egyptians, they adopted the tradition. They started giving rings depicting Eros or Cupid, the god of Love, to lovers as a form of devotion.
[From: This Couple’s Carefree Garden Wedding Had Less Than 20 Guests Present / Photo: Kel Li Art Gallery]
[From: From a Coincidental Meeting to a Romantic Wedding at The Repulse Bay / Photo: Koody Pixel]
(3) The Romans also embraced the Egyptian tradition. Wives wore handcrafted rings made of various materials including copper and iron attached to keys as a symbol of ownership.
(4) In other countries, such as India, Germany, and Russia, wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger on the right hand.
[From: A Serene Garden Wedding with a Peach and Cream Color Palette / Photo:
(5) The Wedding Ring of England, which was created for the coronation of William IV in 1831, is also worn on the fourth finger on the right hand as a symbol “kingly dignity.”
(6) During the Medieval times, people started adorning wedding rings with precious gems. Rubies were added to symbolize passion. Meanwhile, sapphires represented the heavens, and diamonds stood for strength and stability.
[From: This Couple Sang During Their Rust-themed Wedding at House 1881 / Photo: Moonbird Production]
[From: A Chic All-white Wedding at The St. Regis Hong Kong / Photo:
(7) Not a lot of men wore wedding rings until the mid-20th century. Wedding bands for men only gained widespread popularity during World War II. Soldiers wore wedding bands as a source of security and comfort from their wives and loved ones back home.
(8) The first famous diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, but it was only in 1947, that this new symbol of love and commitment caught everyone’s attention. Engagement rings rose to fame thanks to copywriter Frances Gerety when she coined the phrase “A Diamond is Forever” for a De Beers jewellery campaign.
[From: A Romantic Glass House Wedding at Crown Wine Cellars / Photo: The Hour Gallery]
(9) Aside from symbolizing love and commitment, weddings rings also represent a man’s financial stability. By giving his wife precious metal, he is proving his capability to support and provide for his wife.
(10) Gold is the top choice of material for wedding rings today because it is the most pure and valuable metal. Gold best represents marriage because marriage is seen in the same regard.
