Wedding rings are one of the main symbols of marriage ties. But the bride and groom usually do not think about where and when the tradition of exchanging rings arose. Meanwhile, this custom has a long and very interesting history.
Wedding rings in antiquity
For the first time the rite of betrothal arose in ancient Rome. True, the groom there did not give a gold, but a simple metal ring, and not to the bride herself, but to her parents. At the same time, the ring was considered a symbol of the obligations undertaken and the ability to support the bride. As for the tradition of putting a ring on the bride’s finger during the engagement, it was of a commercial rather than romantic nature and was associated with the custom of buying the bride.
The Jews initially decided to hand over a coin to the bride as a sign that the future husband is taking on her financial support. Then, instead of a coin, the bride began to be given a ring.
Gold wedding rings first appeared among the Egyptians. They put them on the ring finger of the left hand, because they believed that the "artery of love" passes from it directly to the heart.
The ancient Romans gave their future wives rings in the shape of a key, in a sign that the woman is ready to share all responsibilities with her husband and become an equal partner in managing the house.
