Have you ever wondered who started wearing wedding bands and who invented wedding rings? When did men start wearing wedding rings? The wedding ring history is not entirely clear.
But when did men start wearing wedding rings? According to some, the Romans were the first to wear wedding rings, around 100 BC. Others feel that it was not until about 200 years later that people began wearing them regularly. Still, others claim it was not until 500 A.D. that both Greeks and Christians started wearing them, but the style did not become popular for another few hundred years. What we do know is that wedding rings date back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece, and Rome.
We also know that they eventually became associated with Western Christian marriage ceremonies. Bridegrooms began wearing engagement rings as early as the 13th century.
They wore them on the third finger of the left hand because it was believed that a vein in this finger ran directly to their hearts. Their brides wore wedding rings after they were married and women continue to wear engagement rings today.
The romantic legend of DeBeers
A more romantic legend tells of a French diamond merchant named DeBeers, who fell in love with a gypsy dancer.
She died suddenly and of a broken heart, the legend says, leaving him to sell diamonds as a reminder of his lost love. In truth, however, it was not until 1888 that DeBeers first began selling diamonds as engagement rings.
The ring a man wears on his left hand is a symbolic gesture of his love and commitment to the woman he has chosen to marry. It often marks the beginning of a new family and most men like to pass this symbol of their strength and intimacy from generation to generation.
It is not clear exactly when or why it became popular for couples to exchange rings at the altar, but it is generally accepted that wedding ring history dates back to ancient Egypt. Egyptians wore rings not only as a symbol of status and prosperity but also for protection against harm in life after death.
Hebrews followed this tradition during their weddings by placing the ring on the third finger of the left hand.
The Romans were then influenced by this custom, and eventually, it became customary to wear wedding bands on the fourth finger of the left hand.
When did men start wearing matching wedding rings?
By the Middle Ages, wedding ring history tells us that couples often wore matching rings.
Today many people associate diamonds with engagement rings, but in reality, they only became popular as such at the end of the 19th century when DeBeers took advantage of the growing demand for diamonds.
Diamond rings, however, were initially seen as inappropriate by some because it was believed that they could block women’s ‘life energy. This meant that diamond engagement rings were not actually popular until after World War II!
The history of who wore wedding bands first can’t really be confirmed, but what we do know is that there are many references to the practice of exchanging rings as a symbol of love, commitment, and fidelity. In some societies, both women and men wore them as a sign of ownership over each other, but in general, they were worn by men only.
Today most people associate wedding ring history with Western Christian marriages, but early evidence suggests that it was not until the 1300s that Christian weddings were marked by a ring exchange ceremony. Married couples also used signet rings to mark their commitment, with some even made of clay or porcelain!
Wedding bands as a symbol of fidelity and love
Wedding ring history has evolved over time, but today it is something most people look forward to! Especially when you consider all the proposals leading to it. The earliest known writings that refer to the custom of exchanging rings at weddings date back to ancient Egypt (c. 2000 B.C.) and both men and women were reported to have worn wedding bands. The engagement ring tradition has also taken root in Egypt, but there is no mention of this practice in the Bible. The Greeks and Romans both acknowledged and observed this tradition and exchanged rings as a symbol of love and fidelity, usually during the pagan marriage rites.
The Egyptians were the first to wear wedding rings dating back to 2000 B.C. They wore them not only as an indicator of wealth but also for protection in life after death.
Later, Hebrews used it as a sign of commitment and love on the finger next to their thumb as it was believed that there was a vein that led straight to the heart.
The Romans borrowed this tradition leading to it becoming customary for married couples to wear rings on the fourth finger of the left hand. By 500 A.D., round braided wedding ring history tells us that people began to have their own wedding bands made. They were often metal, but in some cases, they were made out of clay or porcelain.
By the 18th century, however, symbols took over with different colors representing different social statuses. For example, black represented death while green was the color of hope.
Around this time in Europe, engagement rings were not considered appropriate and diamond rings only became popular at the end of the 19th century when DeBeers turned their attention to increasing demand for diamonds. Before that, they were seen as inappropriate because some believed they could block women’s ‘life energy.
When did wedding rings become popular?
The wedding ring history of the West is largely affected by Christianity which has its roots in ancient Rome. In medieval times, however, couples did not exchange rings during the ceremony. They were given to the bride by her family who had them blessed.
Despite this, it was not until the 1300s that Christian ceremonies included the ritual of exchanging wedding rings.
This tradition also spread to other countries such as Poland and Russia where an Orthodox priest declared marriage vows.
It wasn’t until after World War II that they became popular, and many people started considering them a symbol of status.
Today both men and women wear wedding bands in Western society, but for a long time, it was considered inappropriate for women so engagement rings had more significance. Today, men and women share wedding ring history equally!
It is also important to note that the style of the wedding band has evolved over time. While gold or silver bands are still popular choices, some people prefer titanium or platinum.
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