The History of Engagement Rings

The History of Engagement Rings

You’ve found the love of your life—the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. When you are finally able to decide that she’s the one, you will ask for your beloved’s hand in marriage.

Before you can pop the question, you have to buy a ring, right? You can get it from a Vancouver diamond ring shop of your choice. Yet many couples make do without one.

However, engagement rings have become so embedded in our culture that it seems odd if you don’t get one. But who invented engagement rings? When was it first created?

This article will give you an overview of its beginnings.

Why Give a Ring?

The tradition of giving a ring to our loved one is a tradition that came from Egypt. Ancient Egyptians believed circles were a symbol of eternity. Because of that, wedded couples would exchange braided reeds as rings.

Ancient Egyptians were also the ones who started wearing these rings on their left ring finger. It’s apparently because of a vein named Vena amoris. This vein is believed to run directly to the heart.

History of Engagement Rings

Ancient Egyptians created engagement and, perhaps, even wedding rings. But it was the ancient Greeks that embedded it as a substantial part of humanity’s tradition.

It was believed to have started in the 2nd century B.C.

Back then, women were rarely allowed to marry the person they love. Before, it was mostly their fathers who would choose a man for them. Most of the time, the head of the house will choose a wealthy or powerful family.

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Fathers would offer their daughters as brides to help establish their family in the society.

That time, engagement rings were more of a symbol of ownership rather than love. As bad as it sounds, engagement rings were part of the bride price. The man’s family would offer a valuable object or money to marry the woman.

According to Pliny the Elder, grooms will give the bride a gold ring during the wedding ceremony. The bride will also have to wear the ring at special events.

However, brides have to wear an iron ring when they’re at home. It serves as a binding legal agreement that he owns her.

First Diamond Engagement Rings

These days, finding a Diamond Vancouver ring shop is easy. You can choose from various designs. Or you can even have one made especially for you.

We can say thank you to Archduke Maximilian of Austria for diamond engagement rings. He was the first person ever recorded to give his betrothed with one in 1477. The ring was set with thin and flat pieces of diamonds that formed the letter M.

Soon after, European nobles followed suit. They would put precious gemstones on their jewelry.

During the Middle Ages, “posey rings” were also the trend. These were bands that had romantic sayings and love poems engraved on them.

Conclusion

Engagement rings have come a long way. From being a sign of ownership, it’s now seen as a promise of a future filled with love. From simple braided rings, rings now are filled with precious diamonds and beautiful stones.

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