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Awedding ring orwedding band is afinger ring that indicates that its wearer ismarried.[1] It is usually forged frommetal, traditionallygold or anotherprecious metal. Rings were used inancient Rome during marriage.[2]
In western culture, a wedding ring is typically worn on the base of the leftring finger. The ring finger is widely claimed to be associated with the traditional belief known asvena amoris ("vein of love").
The Western traditions of wedding rings can be traced toancient Rome andGreece, and were first associated with the maritaldowry and later with a promise offidelity. The modern exchange of rings derived from the customs ofEurope in theMiddle Ages as part ofChristendom.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, European husbands bestowed agimmel ring upon their wives. Similar to thepuzzle ring, the gimmel ring consisted of two interlocking bands. The bride and groom both wore one of these bands after their engagement, and the two bands were reunited during the wedding ceremony. Subsequently, the wife wore the combined ring.[3]
The poesy ring was a style of ring that was popular during theRenaissance era. It was a band of sterlingsilver inscribed with a poem or "poesy".[3]
Different cultures used many other historical styles of wedding ring. According to popular legend, in theMiddle East, apuzzle ring, consisting of many bands that interlock to create a finished ring, would be given by the husband as a wedding ring, because if the wife removed it (presumably to commit adultery), the bands of the ring would fall apart, and she would be unable to reassemble it before its absence would be noticed.[4] However, a puzzle ring can be easily removed without the bands falling apart.
Thefede ring, being a band consisting of two hands clasped in betrothal, is another historical custom ofEurope that ostensibly dates from antiquity.[citation needed]
In 1942 during theSecond World War, British wartime restrictions on the manufacture of jewelry resulted in "utility" wedding rings that were limited to a maximum mass of twopennyweights, being slightly heavier than 3 grams (0.11 oz), and were forged of 9 carat gold rather than the traditional 22 carat.[5] The Regional Assayer Office hallmarked these rings, which guaranteed their gold content and compliance with the wartime regulations with a special utility mark adjacent to the mark for the year on the inside of the band; the hallmark resembled a capital "U" with the bottom curve absent or two parentheses enclosing a space, i. e., "()".
The double-ring ceremony describes the exchange of wedding rings by and for both spouses. In several European nations such as theNordic countries, it is common to exchange plainengagement rings of the same form for both sexes, and typically, an additional, more precious, and bejeweled wedding ring is given to the bride. In the nuptials, the groom's ring becomes a wedding ring also, and can be bestowed anew by the bride as a part of the wedding ceremony. The engagement is commonly a matter of agreement between the two, and the wedding rings are chosen together. Both engagement and wedding rings are worn on the left hand in Sweden and Finland, the bride having both rings together. Occasionally, the groom receives a separate wedding ring. InGermany andAustria, both parties use engagement rings worn on the left hand.[6] At the nuptials, a wedding ring is placed on the right hand, as in several east European nations, includingBulgaria,Poland, andRussia. This can be a new ring for the bride or both, or reusing the engagement rings. Any engagement rings can then remain on the left hand or be transferred to the right hand. In Germany, it has been customary for both the bride and the groom to wear a wedding ring since at least the 1870s[7] and mentions of couples exchanging rings during the wedding ceremony in the Netherlands can be found at least as far back as 1815.[8] In both theUnited States andCanada, wedding rings were initially only worn bywives, but became customary for both spouses during the 20th century.[9] InBrazil,Mexico, andSpain both sexes also wear engagement rings, and the groom's ring often becomes a wedding ring in the nuptial exchange ceremony. In The Netherlands plain bands can be worn on either hand, left for Catholics and right for Protestants. When engaged, both bride and groom wear what will be the wedding band on the opposite hand and switch hands after the wedding.
In Western nations, wedding rings are often forged ofgold,palladium,platinum,argentium silver,titanium, ortungsten. Commonengravings on the inside of the ring include the name of one's spouse, the names of both spouses, the date of the wedding or a phrase of significance to the spouses.[citation needed] In many nations theengagement rings are plain while the bride's wedding ring commonly is bejeweled.
Some customs include the wedding ring as the final of a series of gifts, which also may include the engagement ring, traditionally given as abetrothal present. This custom was practiced inancient Rome.[10]
In several traditions, thebest man ormaid of honor has the duty of keeping track of a couple's wedding rings and to produce them at the symbolic moment of the giving and receiving of the rings during the traditional marriage ceremony. In more elaborate weddings, aring bearer (who is often part of the family of the bride or groom) may assist in the ceremonial parading of the rings into the ceremony, sometimes on a special cushion.
InWestern Christianity, engagement rings are exchanged during the betrothal rite, while wedding rings are given during the celebration of holy matrimony itself.[11] AmongEastern Orthodox,Eastern Lutheran andEastern Catholic Christians, the exchange of rings is not technically part of the wedding service, but rather are exchanged at the betrothal. It is always a two-ring set given to her by the priest or by the best man.[10] Unlike most other Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Orthodox ChristianChurch of Greece has recently stopped performing betrothal blessings separately, and now a betrothal ceremony is the initial part of the wedding service. In Greece, the ceremony of betrothal may be performed immediately before the wedding (or "crowning" as it is more properly called), and the actual symbolic act of marriage is not the exchange of rings, but the crowning.
Historically, the wedding ring was connected to the exchange of valuables at the moment of the wedding rather than a symbol of eternal love and devotion, a sign of "earnest money". According to the 1549 edition of theBook of Common Prayer: after the words "with this ring I thee wed" follow the words "This gold and silver I give thee", at which point the groom was supposed to hand a leather purse filled with gold and silver coins to the bride.[12] It is a relic of the times when marriage was a contract between families, not individual lovers. Both families were then eager to ensure the economic safety of the young couple. Sometimes it went as far as being a conditional exchange as this old (and today outdated) German formula shows: "I give you this ring as a sign of the marriage which has been promised between us, provided your father gives with you a marriage portion of 1000Reichsthalers" (approximately 20 kg (44 lb) of silver).[12]
After marriage, the wedding ring is worn on the hand on which it had been placed during the ceremony. By wearing rings on their fourth fingers, married spouses symbolically declare their life-long love for and fidelity to each other. This symbol has public utility and is presently expected as a matter oftradition andetiquette, so much so that its absence is often interpreted as meaning that the person is single. Many spouses wear their wedding rings day and night. It is not uncommon for some spouses, especially those who have occupations that make the wearing of rings dangerous, such as actors, police and electrical workers, to not wear the ring at all, or to wear it on achain around their neck. Since the 19th century in the West, some have considered it unlucky to remove a wedding ring once it has been placed on the finger in church.[13]
Some cultures exchange additional rings. In some parts ofIndia,Hindu women may wear atoe ring orbichiya instead of a finger ring, but thebichiya is increasingly worn in addition to a finger ring. In eastern India, primarily inWest Bengal, women wear an ironbangle, which may be gold- or silver-plated, called aloha. InRomania, spouses celebrate their silverwedding anniversary, i.e. twenty-fifth anniversary, by exchanging silver rings, which are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand along with their original, and usually gold, wedding rings.[14]
While most Christian Churches (such as the Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican) have the exchange of rings within their wedding liturgies, some Christian denominations eschew the use of wedding rings.
The wearing ofplain dress has historically been practiced by manyMethodist Churches, in keeping with the teaching ofJohn Wesley, who stated that people should not be "adorned with gold, or pearls, or costly apparel" (this clause is contained in The General Rules of the Methodist Church).[19][20] The first Methodist liturgical text,The Sunday Service of the Methodists, omitted the ring ceremony.[21] As such, members of some Methodist Churches, such as theAllegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection andBible Methodist Connection of Churches, do not wear wedding rings.[22][23] However, other Methodist Churches contain the exchange of wedding rings within their services for Holy Matrimony. In the wedding liturgy for theFree Methodist Church, for example, the groom and bride say the following when exchanging rings: "This ring I give you in token and pledge of our constant faith and steadfast love".[24] "A Service of Christian Marriage, Rite I" contained inThe United Methodist Book of Worship states that the exchange of rings is optional but when it is done, they areblessed and pronounced as "the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to us the union between Jesus Christ and His Church".[25] Following this, the bride and groom state the following as they exchange rings: "[Name], I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."[25]
Some conservativeMennonite groups do not wear jewelry, including wedding rings, as part of their practice ofplain dress.[26] TheAmish do not wear wedding rings but the men are clean shaven before marriage and grow a full beard after marriage.
AmongQuaker Christians, especiallyConservative Friends andHoliness Friends, the wedding ring is traditionally not worn as a part of theirtestimony of simplicity.[27] Among Quaker groups that do wear wedding rings, the following wording is used by the bride and groom as they are exchanged: "With this ring, I thee wed."[28] TheFriends General Conference, for example, teaches that "Although wedding rings are not necessary in a Quaker wedding, the couple may exchange them if they wish. This is often done after they speak their vows."[29]
Traditionally, adherents of theSeventh-day Adventist Church do not wear wedding rings.[30] The usage of wedding rings among Seventh-day Adventists, however, has increased.[31]
Definitions from Wiktionary
Media from Commons
Data from WikidataThe Romans are also thought to have originated the custom of betrothal rings, or engagement rings, symbolizing a promise of marriage to a member of the opposite sex.
In the United States, Seventh-day Adventist ministers do not baptize a person wearing a wedding ring, nor do they officiate at a wedding in which the ring ceremony is part of the service.
In 1918, Stemple White quoted John Wesley and the 1855 Methodist Discipline in an apparent protest against increasing acceptance of the wedding ring in Adventist circles.
Media related toWedding rings at Wikimedia Commons