Ancient Roman Wedding Rings

Patricia places Williams wedding ring on his hand.

Ancient roman wedding rings. Some were engraved in inverse and were used as signet rings to signseal important documents. The Romans adopted this belief and wore wedding rings on their ring finger. The double-ring ceremony is not Roman though rings were traditional betrothal gifts and were popular in general in Roman times.

A man and a woman representing the betrothed couple might be engraved on the ring. Artsikhovski tells us that the plain gold wedding band originated from the ancient Roman custom23 Rings are noted among Catholics from the fourth century when they became quite common24 The Greek Catholic church directed that the wedding band be placed on the womans right hand we assume the fourth finger. The formal contract publically acknowledged at the engagement party was marked by the giving of a ring by the groom to his bride-to-be.

In Ancient Rome the groom would present his bride with an iron ring which is the origin of todays metal wedding bands. They were fabricated from gold and other precious metals set with gemstones and decorated with different symbols or motifs. A Roman citizen by law could have only one spouse at a time.

Rings in ancient Roman culture were an important part of preparations for a wedding. 662017 The earliest use of wedding rings appears in ancient Hebrew ceremonies though the practice is also found in Greek and Roman culture. Rings were made of braided hemp or reeds formed into a circlethe symbol of eternity not only for the Egyptians but many other ancient cultures.

1 An engagement ring was a typical gift when affordable. Just as in ancient Roman weddings its a symbol of innocence and purity. 1182015 Wedding Ring History.

This ring was worn symbolically on the third finger of the left hand as it still is today because the Romans believed that a nerve ran from this finger directly to the heart. Scarab rings were worn by the Greeks as were signet rings engraved with motifs from nature and figures from mythology and literature. Her hair was divided into six locks using a spearhead probably another symbol of expelling any remaining malevolent spirits.