When you start shopping for a wedding band for your own wedding day, you are taking part in a tradition which people have engaged in for thousands of years. There is a lot of history and many traditions associated with wedding rings, with cultures from all parts of the globe using these rings to symbolize love and commitment in their wedding ceremonies in one form or another.
The Egyptians were the first civilization (as far as we know) to use wedding rings as a part of their wedding ceremonies. Ancient Egyptians wore wedding rings made from materials which were readily available to them. Less affluent people would use wedding bands woven of hemp or those made of leather or bone. The more well off would have rings carved from ivory or made of precious metals. However, these wedding rings were generally given as gifts on the occasion of a wedding and were not built to last more than a couple of years, unlike wedding bands as we know them today.
In centuries past just as now, there was a wide variety of different styles of wedding rings used. Plain gold bands have a long history, of course; but so do Turkish puzzle rings, which have long been popular as a token of love in the Balkans and Anatolia (though strangely enough, they are rarely used as wedding rings in these countries anymore). In France, three interwoven bands made into a single ring have long been popular " and this style is making inroads elsewhere.
The way that wedding rings have been worn has changed over time. While it is now customary to wear ones wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand, Russian brides once wore their rings on the third finger of the right hand instead. In England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, women wore their wedding rings on their thumbs. While tradition hold that wedding rings are worn on the left hands ring finger due to the presence of a vein there which goes straight to the heart, this is not actually the case (though it makes a wonderful story).
When looking for wedding rings, there are many styles to choose from. Other than the familiar plain gold band, there is always the French style interlocking bands, the puzzle ring and even wedding bands which are styled after Celtic knotwork. No matter which type you choose, your wedding ring is a symbol of your love and your commitment to your spouse " and like your marital bonds, your wedding rings can last a lifetime.
The Egyptians were the first civilization (as far as we know) to use wedding rings as a part of their wedding ceremonies. Ancient Egyptians wore wedding rings made from materials which were readily available to them. Less affluent people would use wedding bands woven of hemp or those made of leather or bone. The more well off would have rings carved from ivory or made of precious metals. However, these wedding rings were generally given as gifts on the occasion of a wedding and were not built to last more than a couple of years, unlike wedding bands as we know them today.
In centuries past just as now, there was a wide variety of different styles of wedding rings used. Plain gold bands have a long history, of course; but so do Turkish puzzle rings, which have long been popular as a token of love in the Balkans and Anatolia (though strangely enough, they are rarely used as wedding rings in these countries anymore). In France, three interwoven bands made into a single ring have long been popular " and this style is making inroads elsewhere.
The way that wedding rings have been worn has changed over time. While it is now customary to wear ones wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand, Russian brides once wore their rings on the third finger of the right hand instead. In England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, women wore their wedding rings on their thumbs. While tradition hold that wedding rings are worn on the left hands ring finger due to the presence of a vein there which goes straight to the heart, this is not actually the case (though it makes a wonderful story).
When looking for wedding rings, there are many styles to choose from. Other than the familiar plain gold band, there is always the French style interlocking bands, the puzzle ring and even wedding bands which are styled after Celtic knotwork. No matter which type you choose, your wedding ring is a symbol of your love and your commitment to your spouse " and like your marital bonds, your wedding rings can last a lifetime.
About the Author:
Before you choose your wedding band online, make sure to check our wonderful collection of Mens Wedding Bands and Women's Wedding Bands. All bands are sold at 25%-50% off retail and we off retailer worldwide free shipping.
No comments:
Post a Comment