3/19/11

Engagement Rings - How It All Started

By Eve Mieler


The origin of the engagement ring is said to date way back in 1215. Pope Innocent III introduced a period of waiting to be observed in the time of betrothal to the period of marriage. Believers began to wear an engagement ring to show the present or changed status of betrothed partners. The practice grew to become popular with slight variations all over the world.

This ring on a woman's finger is really a sign of her willingness and acceptance to marry a specific person. Normally engagement rings are given by males to women.

Nevertheless, the other way around also is gaining popularity within the US. In some countries like Finland, Norway etc each parties committed to marriage put on these rings.

The culture is different from location to location. In certain countries the rings of males later becomes their wedding ring. Nonetheless, ladies get a second ring for their wedding. Men wearing both the rings are also in practice in some locations. Germans have these rings of simple gold bands. During the wedding, this ring worn on the right hand gets shifted to the left.

The place for engagement rings is usually on the left hand ring finger. The belief that the vein of love is situated here leads to this romantic belief. Certain cultures believe the left hand is weaker than the right hand.

Once you put the ring in your left hand, married couples acquire more strength from their new bond. The notion of two bodies and one soul is implied here.

All engagements require not culminate in marriage. Some engagements get broken as a result of a variety of factors. On such occasions, should the lady return the ring back to the man? In most cultures, the lady need not return the ring. In case the woman is the one who breaks the marriage off, the man has the liberty to ask for its return. He may also opt to let her keep the ring.

The concept and romance involved with engagement rings is time-tested. These love rings are, hopefully, here to stay permanently!




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