An engagement (wedding) ring is not a ring of omnipotence and not shackles designed to hold each other. This is a golden thread connecting two loving hearts, so as not to get lost after life... Venedikt Nemov

- this is a symbol of marriage, love and fidelity; spouses wear this “distinctive sign” on the ring finger of the right or left hand, according to faith and place of residence. Spouses acquire this symbol on their wedding day.

At all times, a wedding ring has been considered a symbol of marriage. It represents a vicious circle without beginning or end, and symbolizes the immutability and stability of marriage bonds.

How did the tradition of wearing wedding rings from all the variety of different jewelry originate? Why was the ring finger given the honor of owning this treasure?

To begin with, I would like to answer these two most important questions with a beautiful old legend:

“In ancient times, lovers once decided to get married. They thought for a long time about how to consolidate their relationship forever, so that it would be both beautiful and reliable.

One day while walking, they met an old sage. And the young man decided to ask him for advice.

The sage sat with his eyes closed for several minutes, and then turned to the young couple:

- Let each of you join your hands with your palms. All fingers should touch each other with their pads: thumb - thumb, index - index, etc., except for the middle one. Bend the middle fingers of both hands and connect them with the outer sides. Like this.

Now look: keep all your fingers closed, just tear the big ones away from each other. These are our parents. They grow old and leave us at some point, but we always remember them.

Now again connect all your fingers in pairs, and open only your index fingers. These are our brothers and sisters. They can get married and get married when they reach old age, they also die, but we always remember and love them.

Having connected all your fingers again, try to tear your little fingers apart from each other. This is also easy to do. These fingers symbolize our children, who, in the end, also break away from their parents’ nest and live their own lives and a separate family.

Only now, no matter how hard we try to tear our ring fingers away from each other, nothing will work. This is our connection with the spouse God has given us.

Therefore, put a ring on these fingers so that you always remember this close and strong connection, always feel each other’s support and always be faithful to each other.

The guy and the girl, amazed by the sage’s plan, went home.

After some time they got married. At the wedding, they put rings on each other's ring fingers. Since then it has become a tradition.”

The history of the appearance of the wedding ring from the point of view of archaeological evidence and historical facts.

The tradition of exchanging wedding rings dates back to those distant times when happy newlyweds gave each other symbolic wedding rings woven from hemp or reed as a sign of love and devotion. They became the prototype of modern wedding rings.

The first mention of wedding rings appeared in Ancient Egypt, as evidenced by numerous archaeological excavations, as a result of which various gold rings were found in the tombs of the pharaohs. According to ancient Egyptian traditions, wedding rings were worn on the ring finger of the left hand. And the reason for this choice is explained by the fact that when opening and studying the internal structure of human bodies (according to the custom accepted in Egypt), it was found that only from this finger a certain thinnest nerve departs and reaches the heart. As a result, it was considered appropriate to decorate the ring finger with a wedding ring, which from an anatomical point of view was closely connected to the heart through the vein located in it. A very romantic solution, in our opinion. And also, from a mythological point of view, the ring finger was accompanied by the goddess of love - Aphrodite. And naturally, the ring on this finger spoke of marital ties, love and loyalty to one’s chosen one.

And here ancient Jews There was no need for wedding rings; they did without them. The groom gave the bride a coin as a sign of his love and readiness to take her as his wife.

In Ancient Rome Before the wedding, the groom presented the bride with an iron ring, since the presence of metal in the ring symbolized the inviolability of the marriage bond. And after that - a gold ring.

Late second century AD A tradition arose of exchanging bronze wedding rings, in the third century the rings became gold, and in the fourth century they were first used in marriage. Italian jewelers - the authors of many innovative ideas in art and design - in the Middle Ages began to make wedding rings decorated with diamonds, which are symbols of the purity and strength of marriage bonds.

In Christianity The ring, as a symbol of marriage, began to be used only around 900. According to Christian laws, wedding rings should be simple, without any decoration. In Orthodoxy, a wedding ring is usually worn on the right hand, and in Catholicism - on the left. In pre-Christian times, along with the wedding ring, the groom gave the bride the key to his house - as a sign that she now had the responsibility to manage her husband’s household.

In the fifteenth century According to church regulations, the groom was supposed to wear an iron wedding ring, which symbolized his strength, and the bride was supposed to wear a gold one, signifying her tenderness and purity.
Since 1775, according to the instructions of the church, as a sign of the superiority of the male sex and the wife’s duty to obey her husband, gold became the metal for the male ring, and silver or iron became the metal for the female ring.

In modern world the wedding ring has not lost its original meaning. Its round shape, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes infinity and eternal love, and the noble metal from which wedding rings are traditionally made is a symbol of purity and purity. But the appearance of wedding rings has undergone a number of changes over its centuries-old history.
If initially wedding rings were created extremely simple without any decorations, then in our time many couples in love prefer original wedding rings for the wedding ritual, the design of which contains scatterings of precious stones and exquisite combinations of precious metals. Basically, these are rings made of gold, but often many newlyweds increasingly began to choose rings from other metals (silver, titanium, palladium) or alloys (stainless steel, tungsten carbide), and even from non-metals (ceramics, plastics).

Originally in Russia there were two separate concepts - "engagement" And "wedding" ring.

The groom gave it to the bride during the church betrothal ceremony after the engagement; it was worn on the ring finger of the right hand. This ring was a confirmation of the intention of both to marry.

Before the wedding or wedding, before meeting the groom, the bride took off her wedding ring, and during the wedding or wedding the groom put the second one on the bride’s hand - wedding ring, already on top of which the wedding ring was put on.

In modern Russia the concepts of “engagement” and “wedding” ring became practically synonymous (some explain this by the fact that in 1755 the Holy Synod combined engagement (betrothal) with wedding), and future spouses began to exchange rings only on their wedding or wedding day.

On which hand is it customary to wear a wedding ring?

The choice of which hand to wear a wedding ring on is most often dictated by a person's faith and place of residence.

Orthodox Christians It is customary to wear a ring on the ring finger during marriage right hand. Whereas Catholics and Muslims wear wedding rings on the ring finger left hand .

On the right hand wedding rings are worn in the following countries: Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Poland, Georgia, Chile, Norway, Germany, Austria, Greece, Spain (except Catalonia), India, Venezuela.

On the left hand wedding rings symbolizing the status of marriage are worn in countries such as: Australia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cuba, Brazil, France, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Slovenia, Croatia, Sweden, USA, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Syria and Israel.

What does "language of rings" mean?

In modern society, the so-called “language of rings”, which dates back to ancient times, has been practically forgotten. In those ancient times, with the help of a ring placed on a certain finger of the hand, information about the status of its owner was communicated to others.

Pinky ring spoke about the freedom of its owner, and not the desire to get married.

Ring on the ring finger meant the presence of a lover or beloved.

Ring on the middle finger symbolized vast experience in love affairs.

And the owner index finger rings publicly announced his active search for his future wife.

Is it safe to wear wedding rings all the time?

It is believed that a wedding ring on the ring finger restricts the flow of energy leading to the heart. By “exchanging” rings, lovers close the channel of their partner’s love to themselves, and thereby close their heart to other passions.

However Medical workers are not particularly fond of the tradition of wearing wedding rings, since there are a huge number of nerve endings on the hands, which are naturally affected by the rings. In addition, the very material from which the rings are made can often cause many health problems for their owners. There are cases in science where infertile women only had to take off their wedding ring to get pregnant, or get rid of problems with the kidneys, liver, heart, nervous system and cope with migraines. If you do not systematically give the ring finger a break from the close “embrace” of the wedding ring, this can lead to such serious consequences as mastopathy, diseases of the genital organs and endocrine glands. And constantly wearing a ring on the middle finger can cause atherosclerosis and radiculitis. But do not forget that this is all individual. And the body of each individual person reacts to wearing rings differently.

Despite all the skepticism towards wedding rings, many doctors also talk about the benefits of gold rings, which, as it turned out in practice, protect against arthritis and arthrosis, at least one single finger - the ring finger. It is believed that the secret lies in the fact that gold penetrates through the skin into the lymphatic vessels of the fingers and prevents deformation of the joints. On the other hand, people use their ring finger so little, as a result of which it simply “wears out” less than others. This fact should also not be forgotten.

To wear or not to wear a wedding ring- This is a purely personal decision of each person. In reality, it is only a tangible symbol of the marriage bond, albeit a very significant one. Much more important is what this ring represents - strong family relationships, mutual understanding, harmony, love, constancy and fidelity.

Signs and beliefs.

Man is designed in such a way that even in accidents he looks for secret signs of Fate. Therefore, many signs have not bypassed marriage bonds and their main symbol is the wedding ring.

Previously, they took the choice of a wedding date very seriously, turning to astrologers, fortune tellers, and priests for advice. People believed that each month of the calendar carries a certain sign that will be embedded in the family ties of those getting married in a given month:

- get married in January - means to be widowed early;

- in February - live in harmony with your husband;

- in March - live on someone else's side;

- in April - enjoy variable happiness;

- in May - see betrayal in your own home;

- in June - the honeymoon will last a lifetime;

- in August - the husband will be both a lover and a friend;

-in September - a quiet and calm life awaits;

- in October - life will be difficult and difficult;

- In November – life will be very rich;

- December - the stars of love will shine brighter every year.

There is a belief that you should never give your wedding ring to anyone to try on or wear.. If you cannot refuse this request to a very close person, for fear of offending him, you should simply put the ring on the table, and not pass it from hand to hand. You need to return the ring in the same way - through the table, and it is even safer to hold it a little under running water or in a salt solution before putting it back on.

It is a lucky omen when newlyweds get engaged with the rings of their grandparents, who lived for many years in peace and harmony and were still alive at the time of their grandchildren’s marriage. Rings of divorced or deceased people cannot be used.

In the northern countries, there was a beautiful custom of freezing both rings in a small amount of water before the wedding: by thawing, they supposedly remember that just recently they were one, and throughout the life of the spouses they will always be drawn to each other.

There is a well-known sign if an unmarried bridesmaid touches a wedding ring at a wedding. or she will quietly “borrow” a box that has already become unnecessary - she will soon be the bride at her own wedding.

But, dear newlyweds and lovers, remember that believing in signs and beliefs is a personal matter for each of you. After all, Fate is always merciful to those who deserve its favor. Without any signs, we can safely say that sincere love and marital fidelity and trust are rewarded with many years of a happy marriage.
Besides, every rule, sign, superstition and belief has an exception, why don’t you become this very exception and live happily ever after! Love and be loved.

How to wear a wedding ring? According to established traditions, newlyweds wear it during their wedding. It symbolizes love and fidelity. Contemporaries are accustomed to the custom of exchanging engagement rings, and it seems to us that this has always been the case.

However, this is not entirely true, and historical facts tell about the amazing traditions of past centuries, and you can read the fashion trends of manicure 2017 in.

Engagement ring - historical perspective

Scientists studying the ancient world disagree about the origin of such a tradition. Some say that this happened in Ancient Egypt, while others claim that it was in Ancient Greece.

Since these states are close to each other, some kind of mixed marriage may have served as the beginning of the exchange of jewelry among those who decided to start a family. An interesting fact is that wedding symbols were then woven from reeds.

It was these wicker rings that were a wonderful prototype of modern wedding jewelry. And after some time in Ancient Rome, rich grooms presented it not only to the bride, but also to her parents.

This gift symbolized the man’s desire to take responsibility for maintaining the girl.

More than one century has passed since then, and such a tradition, like brides, has appeared among many nations. However, depending on religion and national preferences, not everyone wears wedding rings on one hand.

Moreover, there were times when rulers determined how to wear a wedding ring. Historians confirm that there were quite a lot of such legislative acts, so there were at least ten ways of wearing them - according to the number of fingers.

Traditions of different peoples

There are different traditions on how to wear a wedding ring. According to researchers, in ancient times, more peoples still wore wedding jewelry on the middle finger of the left hand. The reason for this was the opinion of the healers of those times. They assured that there is a certain nerve in the human body that connects this finger to the heart.

This tradition still exists among many peoples. However, in those countries where the main religion is Orthodoxy, it is worn on the right hand. If trouble happens in the family and one of the spouses dies, the widower or widower puts a ring on his left hand.

Muslims only put a wedding ring on women, because they do not have the custom for men to wear such jewelry. And gypsies wear jewelry on a gold chain around their necks.

How to wear a wedding ring

Today, the exchange of rings during the marriage ceremony is part of the entire wedding ceremony. For many years, when newlyweds present rings, they say that they have neither beginning nor end, implying the eternity of love. And gold, from which wedding decorations have long been traditionally made, symbolizes purity and purity. Read about wedding dresses

Thus, by putting a ring on their ring finger, the newlyweds promise each other long-term love, devotion, mutual respect and patience. Without all this, a family cannot exist for long.

Jewelry designers began to offer new models of engagement jewelry. Some newlyweds still choose classic, completely smooth ones, while others prefer rings interspersed with precious stones.

You can also purchase a wedding ring not only from gold, but also from silver, palladium and titanium. There are even products made from ceramics and plastic on the market, but this option is usually preferred by young people with an unusual outlook on life.

Superstitions

The ritual of exchanging a wedding symbol when creating a family has become overgrown with signs, superstitions, and secret omens over many hundreds of years.

  1. It is not customary to give it as a gift, give it to someone, or even just allow them to try it on. But there are many situations in life that sometimes you have to do something that, according to signs, is supposed to be wrong.

If you need to give your jewelry to someone, you need to put it on a table or some other surface. When returning, ask the person not to hand it over, but put it back on the table. It is also recommended to wash the ring in running water to wash away other people’s energy from it.

  1. It is considered a good sign to pass on wedding jewelry through generations: from grandmother to granddaughter. A particularly favorable sign in this situation would be if the grandmother was happily married.
  2. How to wear a wedding ring left over from relatives who have died? This cannot be done; it is considered a bad omen.
  3. In ancient times, a ritual was performed with them, which supposedly strengthened the relationship between the spouses. Two rings were immersed in a small vessel with water and frozen for a short time. People believed that in this case they became one, and in the future they would always be attracted to each other.
  4. It was believed that if a girl touched the box with rings for the bride and groom, then marriage would soon await her.

Whether to believe in signs or not and how to wear a wedding ring is up to everyone to decide for themselves, but there is one good sign that you should start a family out of love with mutual respect: such a marriage will definitely produce very beautiful children. And the decoration will become a reminder of a wonderful wedding day!

We continue to be interested in the seemingly ordinary traditions that surround us, but upon careful consideration, many surprising things are revealed.

The tradition of exchanging rings during a marriage ceremony has been known since ancient times. The first mention of this custom dates back to the era of the Old Kingdom, that is, 4 millennia BC. At that time, the presentation and acceptance of a wedding ring or bracelet (usually made of hemp or sedge) meant that the woman became the property of the man, and he was obliged to protect her.

Men began wearing wedding rings (bracelets) about 1,500 years later. And then it became a symbol of the unification of two halves into a single whole. During the times of Ancient Rome, rings began to be made of iron or bronze. The well-known gold ring appeared only in the 3rd-4th centuries.

So, the ring, which is a closed circle, has long been a symbol of the infinity of feelings of two lovers and is magically designed to strengthen the earthly and heavenly connection between them. The noble metal from which the rings are made is a symbol of purity and purity. Initially, wedding rings were extremely simple and did not have any decorations.

Nowadays, in Russia, another equally important ritual is not always observed - engagement, the so-called betrothal, which implies preliminary consent on the part of the beloved woman to a marriage proposal from her lover. For European countries, such a ritual is mandatory. On the day of engagement, the newlyweds receive approval for the official marriage from relatives, and the groom presents the bride with an engagement ring, which symbolizes tender feelings and is a guarantee of the seriousness of intentions. Such rings can be family jewels, passed down from generation to generation. In Orthodox Russia, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the bride's right hand, who wears it without removing it until the day of the official wedding. Subsequently, it can be worn over the wedding band or kept as a family heirloom.

Historians and archaeologists cannot answer the question of which hand the ancient Egyptians wore rings on. The only thing they are unanimous about is that it was worn on the ring finger. According to legend, the artery of love (vena amoris) passed through it. In the Middle Ages, almost every European ruler, and sometimes even counts and dukes, issued their own decrees on which finger to wear the ring on - it could be absolutely any finger of both hands. Thus, in England at the end of the 17th century, it was customary to wear a wedding ring on the thumb, and in German lands, among knighthood, the custom of decorating the little finger with it was very widespread. In the modern world, it is customary to wear a ring on the ring finger of the right hand among Orthodox Christians, in the countries of Central-Eastern Europe, among Catholics in Austria, as well as in Serbia, Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, Chile, Norway, Germany, Greece, Spain, India, Venezuela and other countries. The Orthodox clergy explains this by saying that “right” is synonymous with correct, faithful, and is associated with strength and reliability. Catholics wear wedding rings on the left hand, as well as in countries such as Turkey, Armenia, Cuba, Brazil, France, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Slovenia, Croatia, Sweden, USA, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Syria.

This is what a “wedding ring” looks like, a sign of marriage for men in Iran. Source ( http://loginov-lip.livejournal.com/396446.html)

The Nuremberg Museum houses a 13th-century ring found during excavations. It has a simple triangular profile and the inscription “Loyalty is in me.” Then there were inscriptions like “Love to the grave”, “As long as I love, I hope” - or, on the contrary, more pathetic - “United together by God, cannot be separated by man.” The number “3” was considered a symbol of hope, faith and love, and “7” was simply lucky. Half rings were very popular back then. They were worn separately by husband and wife, but only when joined together, these halves made up a whole ring on which some saying could be read.

The Catholic Church emphasizes that the left hand is closer to the heart, so the vein of love (the same one from the legend) runs through it. According to Jewish traditions, the bride places a ring on her index finger. The same tradition existed in ancient times in Rus'. In Islam, men are not allowed to wear wedding rings. If worn, it is made of silver or other metals. According to Islam they are not allowed to wear gold.

In some European countries, a wedding ring is also an engagement ring and changes its status when it is engraved with an inscription and begins to be worn on the other hand. If you are using something other than an engagement ring for your wedding, and the question arises as to whether it should be worn during the wedding ceremony, then several options are possible. The bride can place the engagement ring on the ring finger of her left hand, and the groom places her wedding ring on the same finger. Or the bride can wear an engagement ring on the ring finger of her right hand. After the wedding, the bride can still wear both rings on different hands, thereby protecting them from scratches. Another option is that the engagement ring is kept by the bride's witness in a special bag, on a plate, etc. After the ceremony, the ring can be put back on either the right or left hand.


Ancient Roman jewelry

Post-wedding customs

In some Western cultures (USA, UK, Italy, France, Sweden), wedding rings are worn on the left hand. The tradition of wearing a ring on the ring finger dates back to very ancient times, when it was believed that the “vein of love” (vena amoris) passes through this finger of the left hand, and a married couple, putting rings on the ring finger, symbolically declared their eternal love for each other . Currently, this custom has become a tradition and standard of etiquette in these countries.

In other countries such as Greece, Germany, Russia, Spain, India, Colombia, Venezuela and Chile, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand. Orthodox Christians and Eastern Europeans also wear a wedding ring on their right hand. Jews wear it on the left hand, despite the fact that during the wedding ceremony the ring is worn on the right hand. In Holland, Catholics wear a ring on their left hand, everyone else wears it on their right; In Austria, Catholics wear a ring on their right hand. In Belgium, the choice of hand depends on the region. Greeks, many of whom are Orthodox, wear a wedding ring on their right hand in accordance with Greek tradition.

The reason for this lies in the Roman custom of wearing a wedding ring on the right hand, because... in Latin the word for "left" is "sinister", which in English means "evil, sinister". In Latin, "right" is "dexter", from which in English the word "dexterity" comes from, which means "agility, dexterity, skill." Therefore, the left hand is associated with negative feelings, and the right hand with positive feelings.

In general, the ancient Romans, when performing a betrothal ceremony, gave the bride's parents a simple metal ring as a symbol of commitment and ability to support the bride. Marriage was not always a “union of two hearts”; from ancient times, even cave times, and until very recently, the purpose of marriage was profit (money, position in society, etc.). In ancient Rome, it was believed that the metal in a wedding ring reflected the inviolability of the marriage bond. The man gave his chosen one, who could be less than 10 years old, an iron ring before the wedding. Then, when the girl grew up, the man officially took her as his wife. After that, he gave her a gold ring. Only women wore wedding rings in Rome. Roman women wore up to 16 (!) rings on each hand. In winter they are heavy and wide, and in summer they are thin, light and graceful. Mostly gold and silver jewelry without stones. Moreover, in everyday life, rings indicated the social status of the inhabitants: the upper classes had the right to wear gold rings, townspeople - silver, and slaves - metal. The engagement and then betrothal that preceded the marriage (at all these ceremonies the bride was supposed to be given a ring) were actually the guarantees of the upcoming marriage transaction and the firmness of the groom’s intentions. Initially, the betrothal ceremony was more important than the wedding itself, which was considered only a simple completion of a successful engagement.

Traditions associated with the funeral ceremony

Although according to the law and norms adopted in many religions, a marriage ends with the death of one of the spouses, the customs and symbolism of wearing wedding rings in this case vary greatly: the widower or widow continues to wear his wedding ring, but on the other hand; some remove their wedding ring and put on and wear the ring of their deceased spouse. In many cultures, the duration of wearing and the custom of how to wear a ring depend not on the norms accepted in society, but on family traditions and on the choice of the spouse himself. Sometimes a widow or widower adds the deceased spouse's ring to hers and wears two rings on the same finger.

Modern traditions abroad

In the UK and US, it was a common belief among older people that wedding rings should mostly be worn by women. Nowadays, it is common for both spouses to wear rings, but may remove them from time to time for reasons related to the nature of the job, comfort or safety. Some people don't like the idea of ​​using precious metals or don't want to declare their legal status through jewelry. There are people who prefer to wear their wedding ring on a chain around their neck.

The tradition of using two rings, i.e. for both spouses, is relatively young. Its origin is unclear and it was never widespread. In the late 19th century, the American jewelry industry began a marketing campaign to encourage the use of two rings. This tradition was not widespread at that time, although an etiquette book published in 1937 recommended that both spouses wear rings. The lessons of the 1920s, the changing economic situation and the impact of World War II led to a second, more successful marketing campaign, and as a result, by the end of the 1940s. The “two rings” tradition was used by 80% of those getting married, compared to 15% before the Great Depression.

There are many interpretations of ways to wear rings. Thus, it is argued that a woman should wear her wedding ring lower than her engagement ring, thereby placing it closer to her heart. Other rules require that the wedding ring be placed above the engagement ring in order to maintain an engaged atmosphere in the marriage. Some people believe that you should only wear your wedding ring. In the US, you can see a set of three rings in stores: a man's wedding band, a woman's engagement ring and a thin ring that is attached to the engagement ring before the wedding and turns it into a permanent wedding ring.


Materials for making rings

Many religions allow the use of rings of any material during a marriage ceremony as a symbol of the marriage vow, and in unusual circumstances even the use of unusual substitute rings.

Jewelers mainly make wedding rings from a precious yellow alloy of gold, copper, tin and bismuth. Platinum and white gold alloys are also used, although the previously used light yellow white gold alloys are now increasingly being replaced by cheaper nickel-gold alloys, coated with a thin layer of rhodium, which must be reapplied after a few years. Titanium has recently become very popular as a material for wedding rings due to its durability, affordability, and the gray color associated with gun material. Tungsten carbide was also used, often with gold or platinum inlays. The cheapest material for wedding rings is nickel-plated silver - for those who prefer this metal over others for its appearance or cost. Increasingly, couples are buying rings made of stainless steel, which is as durable as platinum and titanium, and its polishing is of a higher quality than that of the latter. Silver, copper, brass and other cheaper metals are not often used because... they are susceptible to corrosion over time and thus cannot symbolize permanence. Aluminum or toxic metals are never used.
Contrary to popular legend, titanium rings can be easily removed using a special jewelry tool and ring pliers.

Styles and fashion trends

Jewish wedding ring from the 14th century.

The sleek gold ring is the most popular design. People associated with medicine often wear such rings because... they are easy to wash. Women usually wear narrow rings, men - wider ones.

In France and French-speaking countries, the most common ring consists of three rings intertwined. They symbolize Christian virtues: faith, hope, love, where “love” is equated to a special type of beautiful sublime love, denoted by the ancient Greek word “agape”. However, such rings are used less and less, because they fall on top of each other.


Women in Greek, Italian and Anatolian cultures sometimes receive and wear so-called puzzle rings - a set of interlocking metal rings that must be joined together to form one ring. Men give such rings as a witty test of their women's monogamy: even if a woman can easily solve the puzzle, she still cannot quickly remove and replace the ring.

In North America and some European countries, many married women wear two rings on the same finger: an engagement ring and a wedding ring. Couples often buy a set of two rings - one for the groom and one for the bride - where the ring designs complement each other. In addition, some women who have been married for many years wear three rings on their finger (from palm to fingertip): a wedding ring, an engagement ring, and an eternity ring. This three-ring combination is especially common in the UK.

In the United States, the tradition of engraving rings is becoming increasingly popular.

In the USA, Canada and other English-speaking countries, the Celtic style has become popular among people of Irish and Scottish descent. Rings of this style are distinguished by the presence of an engraving or embossing of the Celtic Knot on the ring, symbolizing unity and continuity. The Claddagh design is sometimes used to symbolize fidelity.

In Ukraine now, too, everyone strives

What is a wedding ring: a simple decoration or an embodiment of family ties? Life and morals change, but does the attitude towards them change? Why are they worn when becoming husband and wife, and why on the ring finger?

Photo: The true history of wedding rings is unknown. Some attribute their appearance to the era of Ancient Egypt, based on the conclusions of archaeologists that brides at that time wore reed rings. Someone talks about Ancient Rome, because for the first time the Romans began to use metal to make rings. However, the largest number of stories and legends date back to the late Middle Ages. The variety of jewelry from this period can be considered unique due to the combinations of precious stones, metals and engravings.

Photo: In all these stories and legends, one thing has remained constant: a wedding ring is a symbol. Symbol of fidelity, love and family. The belief in the infinity of this symbolism finds its interpretation in the round form. A circle is always something whole, closed, without beginning or end. And they have been putting a wedding ring on the ring finger for so many centuries for a reason. According to one version, a straight artery runs from the ring finger to the heart.

Photo: It sounds beautiful and touching, although among the newlyweds there are also skeptics for whom this decoration is a tribute to fashion or a way of self-expression. But even here we find justification for them, because even the most extravagant and unexpected options have the right to exist. Then we are not talking only about the symbol. Perhaps this is part of a new story; besides, investing in jewelry has always been considered a reliable business. Moreover, this is the first contribution to the family’s gold reserves.

Photo: To make the right choice, first decide on the metal. This will allow you to navigate the price. It's a good tradition, but if possible, think about platinum. It just so happens that the groom buys the rings, so the “quality of the metal” speaks of the seriousness of his intentions. And this is also the reason that wedding rings made of silver and alloys are very rare.

Photo: As for the types and shapes of rings, we are ready to offer a variety of options to suit every taste and budget. Grooms prefer strict, restrained options, while brides love original ones - combinations of two or three metals, interspersed with precious and semi-precious stones, with a diamond cut. Nowadays, voluminous, smooth wedding rings, massive, with rough relief processing, engraved are popular, which makes them the most unique. But no matter what models the bride and groom choose, they must be made in the same style and concept. Then it will be a complete symbol.

Wedding ring - a symbol of marriage

Despite the centuries-old history of exchanging wedding rings on a wedding day, it is still not known exactly where this beautiful custom came from. According to the most common versions, this tradition first appeared among the ancient Greeks. Even then, happy couples getting married sealed their union with a similarity to modern wedding rings, woven from reeds or plant roots.

At the same time, the tradition of wearing wedding rings on the ring finger of the right hand arose. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks ordered newlyweds to wear rings on the finger closest to the little finger, since it was believed that a certain nerve leading straight to the heart originated from it. Therefore, since ancient times, decoration on this finger had a special meaning and meant that the heart was already occupied and the person had found his soul mate.

Metal rings appeared a little later. In ancient Rome, there was a tradition according to which, on the day of engagement, the groom gave a metal ring to the bride's parents. This served as proof of the seriousness of the man’s feelings, and was some kind of guarantee. After all, marriages were not always concluded solely for love. For a long time, from ancient times, the Middle Ages and almost to the present day, the goal of those entering into marriage was profit. Money, position in society and meeting the right people, all this can be acquired by entering into a successful marriage. In the Middle Ages, a ring given to the bride on the day of engagement served as a guarantee of the fidelity of the groom's decision. On the day of the engagement, the Anglo-Saxons would break some expensive thing into two parts and give one to the bride’s father and keep the other for themselves. Rich suitors sawed gold and silver household items (candlesticks, dishes) and even gold bars. Later, all these things were replaced by rings.

The tradition of the modern engagement ring dates back to 1477, when Emperor Maximilian I asked for the hand and heart of Mary of Burgundy and presented her with a diamond ring. Admirers of traditions to this day choose a white gold ring, decorated with one large diamond or three small diamonds.

The ceremony of exchanging rings has not lost its symbolic meaning to this day. The round shape of the wedding ring, like many centuries ago, symbolizes the infinity of love. And the noble metal from which the ring is made speaks of purity and purity.

Signs associated with wedding rings:
- it is not recommended to give wedding rings into the wrong hands either before or after the wedding, otherwise your married life will not be long (even for your best friend);
- you can’t give it as collateral - love will go away;
- if on your wedding day you put rings other than the wedding ring on your fingers - cheating in marriage;
-wedding with parental rings (engagement rings) - repetition of “previous” family relationships;
-if you touch the rings of the bride and groom during the wedding, expect your wedding soon;
- never throw rings - otherwise fate will separate you forever;
-if the bride and groom have different rings, in different styles, each spouse will live their own life.

The word “engagement” itself comes from the word “hand”, and the rings are like links in a chain that connects the newlyweds. Such rings were always very cherished - they were never removed under any circumstances. With their help, they “looked through” the future of the family (guessed). And the most mundane thing - they were passed down by inheritance, but only if the ring was received from the grandmother, who happily celebrated the golden wedding of a married couple.

Wedding rings are usually worn on the ring finger. In fact, it is responsible for the functioning of the human heart. And symbolically, the nameless one is a heart with the sun; because of this symbolism of marriage, it is made of the solar metal - gold. The word itself, “gold,” consists of the ancient root “zol,” which means “sun,” and such a designation exists in all Indo-European languages.

In the life of true love, no proof is needed. For well-being in the family, rings are generally not required, and even without rings you can live your entire life in prosperity.

Someone comes from the opposite: if you make wedding rings not only decorations, as a memory of the wedding, but consider it as one link connecting the couple, then:

It is worth thinking about the type of rings for both spouses (futures). Some people will want to see rings as decoration - with diamonds, jewelry, while others will prefer an inconspicuous “engagement ring” - after all, this is not jewelry, but an expensive symbol.
Well-known psychologists say: the very “image of the ring” of the bride and groom implies how close their relationship is, or whether there are differences directly in their life values;

You should definitely choose rings together with your future spouse: after all, both should like them and, naturally, suit the “young”;

Such a symbol of marriage is always displayed with pride, if, of course, the bride and groom (family) are happy with their marital status;

How expensive should rings be? The poet’s statement: “value is measured by one thing - the unit of investment in life.” Based on these “words”, no formalism of the rings plays a special role. What is important here is the time and mental strength that is invested in their choice or design development. But in general, “love” itself is special, and therefore deserves special wedding rings;

For fidelity and a happy marriage, the rings (already selected) are simply “presented” at the registry office, and if you do this with a little variety, you will remember it for a lifetime. This procedure can be carried out under bursts of romance. Such a symbol (engagement ring) of love and fidelity can be “retrieved from the bottom of the sea” and you can get engaged right under the sound of the surf, at home on a pillow in the petals of delicate roses for your wedding anniversary, or you can find it right in a glass of champagne during a romantic dinner;

Such a ring should be worn every day, regardless of where and why the person is going, what exactly he is wearing, and even what he is going to do. And various excuses, like: I don’t wear it today - I’ll lose it! Or: yellow metal today does not suit an outfit - it’s just “fiction” and reduces the magical love and unifying power of such rings. It is considered unacceptable to devalue the symbol of love and fidelity in any situation. If the rings are put on daily (that is, not removed), then the marriage will be as strong as that of “ringed” couples.

According to statistics, modern marriages are not particularly strong. What about the rings then? Psychologists confirm that men get rid of such symbols of “captivity” as quickly as possible, and as for women, they, as a rule, still remain in such “captivity” for some time. Probably “regretting” such lost love, happiness, or maybe because of the reluctance of the very appearance of a “divorcee”... This is all, of course, in vain. After all, while “happiness” shines on her finger, the woman is psychologically dependent on it, which means she is not ready for any new relationship. The first and decisive step will still have to be taken - after all, such a ring has already lost (under such life circumstances) its power. You can sell it, throw it away, but under no circumstances give it away for “rework.” You should not “step” into a new stage of life with material traces of old experiences.