Wedding Ring Trivia

Wedding Ring Trivia...
Some theorize the circlet is derived from fetters ( chain or shackle for the feet) worn by captive women in medieval times. While others accredit it to the exchange of tokens to signify good faith or friendship.

Whatever the origin, the wedding ring is certainly here to stay. Manufacturers have proof of the fact. Wide wedding bands, which are again popular, have their inspiration deep in history. The wide gold band ring became popular in Shakespeare time, they were of chased designs, and sentimental inscriptions were added to the in side of the band.

So, why is the wedding ring worn on the forth finger? The habit of wearing the wedding symbol on the fourth finger of the left hand is based upon a Grecian fable that the artery from that finger flows directly to ones heart. Scientist reject this theory, and claim there is no factual evidence to substantiate the theory.

During the Elizabethan era, the trend decreed that the wedding ring be worn on the thumb. Use of the wedding symbol was also evident in Egyptian culture, and it is present in the form of hieroglyphics on walls of ancient tombs archaeologists have discovered. Generally the Egyptian circlets were depicted as heavy metal bands, encrusted with precious or semiprecious stones.

However, history tells another story. Roman archaeologists reputed to have found only "ugly metal bands."

The Smallest wedding circlet (ring) is believed to have been made for Princess Mary, daughter of King Henry VIII. The Princes was betroth to the Dolphin of France, Sor. of King Francis I. The ceremony was performed Oct. 5, 1518. The princess was two years of age, and her spouse was born Feb. 28, 1518.

The ring came into use in Christian ceremonies about 870, authorities state, and was in use in biblical times by the Hebrews. Though fashion decreed trends towards narrow bands and introduced other whimsies, the gypsy always has held firm to tradition. The broadness and weight of the golden ring decrees and denotes the position of the gypsy couple in the tribe. The bigger and heavier the circlet, the bigger and better the standing of the wedded pair.

Before 1940-only 15% of the bridegrooms received rings. Then with the outbreak of World War II, the double ring ceremony increased to 6O %. With the Korean war the number increased to 70%.

The primitives considered an unmarried man as only half a man. The wedding circlet was indicative of the completion of both the life span of man

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