It is a symbol of eternal love and faithfulness. Making it with the offer of the hand and heart is an old tradition. Of course, this is - an engagement ring, the history of which originates in the distant past ...
The wedding ring is a symbol of marriage in many countries, regardless of lifestyle, mentality and thinking. The origin of this tradition, however, is not fully understood. According to some sources, it originates in Ancient Egypt, where marriage was not just a formality. The role of the family occupies an important place in Egyptian society both in ancient centuries, and in our days. In accordance with Egyptian beliefs, the wedding ring symbolized endless love and an eternal union between a man and a woman. In Egypt, it was believed that the ring should be worn on the ring finger of the left hand, because it is from there that the "vein of love" stems. In fact, this is the name of the line that runs from the ring finger to the palm of the hand in the later developed science of palmistry - the line of love.
The history of the appearance of the Christian tradition of wearing engagement rings dates back to the 16th century. Prior to this, their wearing was not mandatory, although it was the case in principle. Rings were worn on any finger of any hand, like any other decoration. And only since the 16th century it became an indispensable unshakable tradition to wear an engagement ring on the ring finger of the right hand. And now the classic engagement ring is worn on the ring finger. Orthodox - on the right, and Catholics - on the left hand.
At the beginning of the time, wedding rings were made of different materials. The Egyptians used for this hemp, skin, ivory, etc. The Romans wore engagement rings of iron, which symbolizes strength and endurance. They were called the "ring of power". Gradually, artists began to make rings of gold, which made them a real decoration and a work of art. The key moment in choosing a ring was its price. The more expensive - the higher the status of the bride and groom. For the Romans, the wedding rings were a symbol of property, besides the familiar and logical symbol of love. The tradition was fixed by the ancient Greeks. Their wedding rings were made of iron, but rich people could afford rings made of copper, silver or gold.
In the Middle East, too, the main symbol of marriage between a man and a woman was considered to be an engagement ring, the history of whose appearance scientists were also interested. At first, the wedding rings were gold bands, the ends of which were connected and formed a circle. The ring in the East symbolizes humility and patience. Tradition enjoins wives to wear rings as a token of loyalty to one constant person. After a long journey, when her husband returned home, he immediately rushed to see if the ring was in place. This was a kind of sign of devotion and loyalty.
In the Middle Ages, the requirement to give each other engagement rings with rubies, which burned with a red symbol of love between a man and a woman. Sapphires, the symbols of a new life, were also popular. In England, a special single design of the wedding ring was created. This ring represented two intertwined hands and two hearts with a crown above them. The crown was a symbol of reconciliation, love and friendship between a man and a woman, loyalty and loyalty between them.
The Italians began to make engagement rings of silver, decorated with numerous engravings and black enamel. In medieval Venice, wedding rings traditionally had to have at least one diamond. It is believed that diamonds are magical stones created in the fire of love. They are the hardest of all precious stones and a symbol of strength, durability, stability of relationships, love and eternal devotion. They were quite rare, expensive and affordable only for the rich. Therefore, the use of diamond engagement rings was ratified in the 19th century. Then a large diamond deposit was discovered in South America. Soon, diamonds became available to more people. But even then, in England, diamonds were often used as decorations for engagement rings.
In some countries, such as, for example, Brazil and Germany, both men and women could wear an engagement ring. In 860, Pope Nicholas I issued a decree that the wedding ring was officially certified. The demand was only one: the engagement ring must necessarily be gold. So the base metals no longer belonged to the wedding rings.
Currently, for the manufacture of engagement rings, as a rule, silver, gold or platinum, diamonds or sapphires, emeralds, rubies and precious stones, corresponding to the signs of the zodiac, are used. There are already no clear and strict standards for the manufacture of wedding rings.
There is a theory, however, that an engagement ring is not the first symbol of love between two people. It is believed that the first symbol was created during cave people. They used braided leather ropes to tie the woman they wanted to marry. Only when the woman stopped resisting the rope untied, leaving only one - tied around the finger. This was a purely symbolic act and meant that the woman was already busy.
Traditionally, today, taking an engagement ring, a woman agrees to marry the one who gave it. If a woman decides to end a relationship, she must return the ring back. Usually, it is understood by women all over the world. So the ring becomes an unspoken symbol of the development or termination of relations.
In some European countries it was customary to use as wedding rings absolutely any ring - which one likes. But the ring was considered a wedding only when it engraved the name of the wife and the date of the wedding. Such a ring had its own inner strength, and was kept as a talisman or a family heirloom.