History of Wedding Rings
November 20, 2009
Wedding Ring
Wedding rings are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but references do exist that suggest the aforementioned Hebrew practices. Genesis 24:53 in the King James Version reads, “And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things,” speaking of the servant of Abraham, the father of Isaac, who was to wed Rebekah. The wedding ring first came into use in Christian wedding ceremonies around 870 A.D.
The history of wedding rings as they are known today is actually unclear. In an article dating from the July 1869 issue of Appleton’s Journal of popular Literature, Science, and Art, Edward J. Wood hypothesizes that the modern (modern as of 1869) use of wedding rings stems from the practices of ancient Hebrews. It was customary for the family of a prospective groom to give gifts to the potential bride and her family.
The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand also comes from the ancients.
Although the concept of the wedding ring is obviously very old, the ring was almost always worn by the bride. Double-ring wedding ceremonies are rather new. Wedding rings for men were almost unheard of before 1940 and increased in use about the time of the Second World War. According to an October 1953 story in Hobbies, only about 15% of wedding ceremonies included a ring for the groom.
Today it is more common than not for grooms and brides alike to wear a wedding ring.
While the precise origin of the wedding ring is unclear and lost to history, today we recognize the wedding ring as a symbol of the unity of marriage. The couples of today also generally choose their wedding rings together, thus adding to the personal symbolism that the jewelry carries for them. Additionally, the wedding ring serves as a social symbol in today’s world, signifying to others that this man or woman is “spoken for.”
So, why a wedding ring, as opposed to, say, a wedding bracelet or necklace? Religious ceremonies usually include a mention by the officiating clergyman of the ring’s unending circle being representative of both God’s perfect love for humanity and the marrying couple’s undivided devotion to one another.
Now see it more at wikipedia
Should a Man Wear a Wedding Ring
October 30, 2009
Men Wedding Ring
Men’s wedding rings have become increasingly more common since that time. Today it is probably as common for a newly married man to wear a ring as not. The modern man may consider it his duty to choose to make the same public marital statement as his wife will.
Many women do not even consider the possibility of not wearing one. Often, however, a man usually considers the wearing of a man wedding ring very carefully.
Firstly, is he concerned about a public display of his marital status? Some men, whether rightly or wrongly, are threatened by this.
Secondly whilst the wearing of jewelry by women is so common as to go unremarked that is not necessarily the case for men. For many men the wearing of men wedding bands is just a case of being asked to wear jewelry. Men often do not feel comfortable wearing jewelry and in many cases have never done so before. Whilst some men see their wedding band as different to wearing ordinary jewelry, others feel just the same as if they were being asked to wear ear rings. “It’s just not done by men”. The author, for example, wears a man wedding band, but would never consider wearing any other form of jewelry.
Silly as it may seem to women this can be of concern to some men.
Men’s wedding rings are, in the eyes of some men, effeminate. “Real men” don’t wear rings or jewelry at all. This is becoming less of an issue as the wearing of a man’s wedding ring becomes more common, but is still an issue with many men.
Culture is also a consideration. In many cultures the wearing of wedding rings by men would never be considered.
There are also practical considerations. Many men are engaged in trades where the wearing of a man wedding band would be downright dangerous. In some jobs a ring cannot be worn on the job, and must be removed.
Ultimately though, the wearing of a men’s ring is just one of the many choices the man will have to make once he makes the commitment to marry.
Which finger is the ring worn on, and why?
Generally a man’s wedding band is worn on the ring finger, the same as for women. The ring finger, for those unmarried men not familiar with the concept, is the fourth finger of the left hand.
So you have both decided that he will wear a men’s wedding ring!
Once the man or couple had made the decision to purchase a men’s wedding ring for him there are still choices to make. Do they want to wear a matching set? It is perfectly possible for a couple to buy a ring set where the style of the rings match perfectly, or even with matching engraved messages of love.
Generally though, even where the couples are to wear a matching ring set, the two rings are different. It is more common for the man’s wedding ring to be wider than the woman’s. This is because men’s hands and women’s hands are different. A woman usually has narrower finer fingers, and so a narrower band suits her hand. A man on the other hand has wider chunkier fingers and so a wider man wedding band is more suited.
This often results in the mans ring costing more than the woman’s ring even with matching styles, as the mans ring uses more, often expensive, material.
Many men prefer a simple unadorned band, however others enjoy highly decorated styles which make a loud statement. The wearing of, for example, very wide and highly adorned Celtic rings is becoming much more common.
When considering the styles of men’s wedding rings it is well worth thinking about the personality of the individual. While different men have very different personalities different rings will suit different personalities as well. A loud outgoing man, for example, can wear a loud outgoing unique men’s ring.
Whilst diamonds are not, of course, as popular with men as with women, they do make a clear statement which pleases some men who choose them. Diamond men’s rings clearly say “I can afford it” or at least the big ones do. But it can be a brave man who chooses to wear a large diamond band.
Ultimately there are no rules about choosing a man wedding band. First, will he wear one? Once that decision is made in the affirmative then there is a whole world of choice about styles, widths, materials and the type of statement the ring makes, both for the man and the woman.
More info at wikipedia
