WebLady
02-21-2006, 12:56 PM
I found this and thought it was interesting ... I may have posted something like this before but here it is anyway ...
Why do we wear rings and why do we wear them on our left hand? Did you know that the groom didn't always wear a ring?
There are many different views of where the tradition of wearing a ring comes from. In Greek mythology, it was told that Prometheus smelted a ring from the fire of the gods out of his love for mankind. Some say the act of giving a ring is more of a symbol of the groom's willingness to make personal and financial sacrifices in order to 'take care of' his bride.
Early wedding rings were used to seal an act of 'sale' and transfer ownership of the woman from her father to her new husband. Such rings were usually solid gold to prove the groom's worth. Some have said that the ring was worn on the left hand of the bride because it was the weakest finger on the weakest hand and thus the ring symbolizing a husbands control over his wife. And to tell other men that she was taken, which is one of the ways we use the ring today.
A more romantic tradition has the wedding rings worn on the third finger of the left hand as there was an old Egyptian belief that there is a vein in this hand that runs directly to the heart. It was known as "the vein of love"
Most look at the ring now as a symbol of love and commitment. An unending circle made of an unbreakable metal and therefore signifies an unbreakable love and an unending commitment. Some Jewish brides wear the ring on the right hand. However, I am not sure why this is or where that tradition comes from.
There isn't much mention about the groom wearing a ring at all until the early 1900's
I just thought these were some interesting 'fun facts' ;)
Why do we wear rings and why do we wear them on our left hand? Did you know that the groom didn't always wear a ring?
There are many different views of where the tradition of wearing a ring comes from. In Greek mythology, it was told that Prometheus smelted a ring from the fire of the gods out of his love for mankind. Some say the act of giving a ring is more of a symbol of the groom's willingness to make personal and financial sacrifices in order to 'take care of' his bride.
Early wedding rings were used to seal an act of 'sale' and transfer ownership of the woman from her father to her new husband. Such rings were usually solid gold to prove the groom's worth. Some have said that the ring was worn on the left hand of the bride because it was the weakest finger on the weakest hand and thus the ring symbolizing a husbands control over his wife. And to tell other men that she was taken, which is one of the ways we use the ring today.
A more romantic tradition has the wedding rings worn on the third finger of the left hand as there was an old Egyptian belief that there is a vein in this hand that runs directly to the heart. It was known as "the vein of love"
Most look at the ring now as a symbol of love and commitment. An unending circle made of an unbreakable metal and therefore signifies an unbreakable love and an unending commitment. Some Jewish brides wear the ring on the right hand. However, I am not sure why this is or where that tradition comes from.
There isn't much mention about the groom wearing a ring at all until the early 1900's
I just thought these were some interesting 'fun facts' ;)