The Symbolism Of The Wedding Band

A traditional wedding band is a plain gold or silver ring with an interesting history and a symbolism that has lasted thousands of years to remain a statement to the world. The first wedding bands were probably used some five thousand years ago in ancient Egypt. Those first rings were likely made of some sort of plant material, but the meaning was the same. Because the circle is never ending, the ring symbolizes the never-ending love of a husband and wife who have been joined together. The tradition of wearing the wedding band on the fourth finger of the right hand also possibly came from the Egyptians. Some think that Egyptians believe the fourth finger of the left hand was directly connected to the heart. Since the wedding band is a symbol of never-ending love, who could argue with the logic of fitting the ring on the finger directly connected to the heart? Others believe the tradition of wearing the wedding band on the fourth finger came from some other source. Some 2,000 years ago, male members of the Asian royalty were said to have required their wives to wear a ring, supposedly to ensure the women’s fidelity during their men’s absences. The use of two

wedding bands, one for the bride and another for the groom, is a more recent tradition. Less than a century ago, only a few men wore wedding bands but it has become accepted that both bride and groom will wear a wedding band, circular to symbolize never-ending love and worn by both as a pledge of fidelity. Today, there are several accepted materials for the wedding band, both for men and women. Gold, silver and platinum are all popular choices. Many couples opt for a wedding band with diamonds, a specific birthstone or other precious stone. While tradition still plays an important role, the wedding band is another opportunity for the personalities and preferences of the couple to show.