The Origins of Wedding Rings And Why They’re Worn On The 4th Finger Of The Left Hand
The history and symbolism behind the tradition of wearing a wedding ring and why, in most western cultures, it’s worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, otherwise known as the ring finger.
Wedding rings today are a billion dollar
sentiment of love, but no one can really say for sure when this age
old tradition actually started. Some believe that the oldest recorded
exchange of wedding rings comes from ancient Egypt, about 4800 years
ago. Sedges, rushes and reeds, growing alongside the well-known papyrus
were twisted and braided into rings for fingers an other decorative
ornaments worn by the women in those days.
The circle was the symbol of eternity,
with no beginning or end, not only to the Egyptians, but many other
ancient cultures. The hole in the center of the ring also had
significance. It wasn’t just considered a space, but rather a gateway,
or door; leading to things and events both known and unknown. To give a
woman a ring signifies never-ending and immortal love.
The materials these rings were made of
didn’t last very long and soon were substituted with rings made of
leather, bone or ivory. The more expensive the material, the more love
shown to the receiver; the value of the ring also demonstrated the
wealth of the giver.
The Roman’s also eventually adopted this
tradition but with their own twist. Rather than offering a ring to a
woman as a symbol of love, they awarded them as a symbol of ownership.
Roman men would “claim” their woman with the giving of a ring. Roman
betrothal rings were later made of iron and called “Anulus Pronubus.”
They symbolized strength and permanence. It is also said that the Romans
were the first to engrave their rings.
It was not until about 860 that the
Christians used the ring in marriage ceremonies; even then, it was not
the simple plain band as we know it. It usually was highly decorated
with engraved doves, lyres, or two linked hands. The Church discouraged
such rings as ‘heathenish’ and, around the 13th century, wedding and
betrothal rings were considerably simplified, and given a more spiritual
look which was very aptly expressed by a Bishop when he dubbed it a
“symbol of the union of hearts.”
Wedding
rings through different stages in history have been worn on different
fingers, including the thumb, and on both the left and right hands.
According to a tradition believed to have been derived from the Romans,
the wedding ring is worn on the left hand ring finger because there was
thought to be a vein in the finger, referred to as the ‘Vena Amoris’ or
the ‘Vein of Love’ said to be directly connected to the heart. However,
scientists have shown this is actually false. Despite this, this myth
still remains regarded by many (hopeless romantics) as the number one
reason rings are worn on the fourth finger.
Another theory thought to be behind the
ring being placed on the left hand by Christians seems a little more
plausible. Early Christian marriages had a ritual to wear the wedding
ring in the third finger. As the priest recited during the binding ,”In
the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, he would take the
ring and touch the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger; then,
while uttering “Amen”, he would place the ring on the ring finger,
which sealed the marriage.
A more practically based theory is that
the soft metal (traditionally gold for wedding rings) is less worn or
injured on the finger of the left hand, due to most of the world being
right handed.
