Wedding ring: 21 facts you probably did not know
A wedding ring symbolizes love and commitment to your spouse. It has been a part of a tradition that couples wear wedding rings to signify that the wearer is married. Even those who have not gotten married probably know that it is worn on your fourth finger, but do you know why?
Here are some fun facts about wedding rings that you probably did not know.
Wedding ring history
The first recorded use of wedding rings dates back to Ancient Egypt. The wearing of circles symbolizes eternity, and represent the sun and moon deities.
The wedding rings, being round, are a symbol of eternity. Like a circle, marriage should have no end.
Men gave rings adorned with a small key in ancient Rome. It is a symbolic key to his heart.
People in England, France, and the US wear their bands on their left hand. India, Russia, and Germany wore them on their right hand.
See also: 15 Meaningful wedding ring tattoo designs
In some parts of India, brides wear toe rings (bichiya) instead of wearing them on their fingers.
During WWII, men started wearing wedding bands to remember their wives who are left at home. It was when the tradition of both couples wearing rings started.
Historically, one reason for having wedding rings is for a man to prove his financial stability to support his wife.
People believe that the rings are ways for lovers to show their intent to the receiver.
See also: Love languages quiz: Understand how to make your family feel loved
Wedding ring traditions
In Romania, when couples reach their silver wedding anniversary (25th year), they exchange silver rings. They have to wear it along with their gold wedding rings.
Tradition has it that if the groom drops the ring during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed.
The US sees 17 tons of gold turned into wedding rings yearly.
About 70 percent of married women wear their wedding rings on the fourth finger of their left hand. The tradition dates back to the Roman times when they believed that the vein of love, or vena amoris, is in the fourth finger.
The most commonly engraved phrase on wedding rings would be the groom's name.
The first recorded diamond ring was in 1477, when Maximilian I, the King of Germany, proposed to Mary of Burgundy.
Diamond comes from the word "adamant," a Greek term that means untamable or invincible, as many linguists believe.
The most famous diamond shape is a brilliant round cut.
Traditionally, wedding rings were made of gold, which is the purest and most valuable metal. It perfectly symbolizes marriage.
See also: 9 Royal baby traditions you probably did not know existed
Seventy-three percent of rings are made up of white gold. Platinum ranks the second most popular metals for wedding bands.
To date, the most expensive ring costs $16.26 million.
Also, a wedding ring saved a man's life. During a robbery shootout, a man deflected the bullet going to his face with his wedding ring.
Some cultures consider wedding rings the finale in the wedding gift series.
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