Who invented the ring? In what year did the custom of wearing a ring at marriage originate? Which country?

What did the original wedding rings look like? --Egyptian, Greek and Roman wedding rings

It was the Egyptian pharaohs who first used rings to represent eternity. This is because the circle had no beginning or end and was in the shape of the sun and moon, which the Egyptians worshipped. The Egyptians also believed that the open space in the center of the ring represented a gateway to the unknown. The Egyptian oor-uh-boor-ros ring depicts a snake devouring its own tail, representing the eternal cycle of events. The oor-uh-boor-ros is one of the world's oldest symbols, meaning "tail swallower" in Greek.

Wedding rings

Who invented the ring? In what year did the custom of wearing a ring at marriage originate? Which country?

This modern armature ring is in the shape of a snake with sapphires in the eyes and diamonds in the tail. Courtesy of 1stDibs.

The tradition of giving rings to show loyalty to a loved one spread to Greece when Alexander the Great conquered Egypt. Many of these rings show the image of Eros or Cupid, the goddess of love. When the Romans conquered Greece, they followed the ring tradition and began using iron and bronze rings in marriage ceremonies. Sometimes the iron rings were engraved with a key motif, symbolizing the wife's control over household items. But by the second century A.D., most rings were gold.

Wedding Rings

This ancient Roman gold key ring dates from the fourth century. The Greek inscription Πουλχρη (Poulchrīs) means "ring of beauty" and was used to praise the beauty of the recipient.

From the third and fourth centuries A.D. onwards, gold rings became more lavish in style, emphasizing the wealth of the giver. The Fede ring, which was popular at the time, was styled with two clasped right hands to represent friendship, partnership and marriage. Rings of this design were made of gold and were often intaglio-carved with gemstones such as striped agate, red chalcedony, garnet or amethyst. Further on, the Romans began to make personalized rings with their own likenesses carved into them.

Wedding bands

Third-century gold Fede ring from Rome.

The ancient Egyptians believed that there was a "vein of love" (vena amoris) in the ring finger of the left hand that led directly to the heart, and so rings were worn on this finger. The Romans also accepted this idea and wore the wedding ring on the ring finger. Although anatomy proved this idea incorrect, the tradition of wearing the ring on the ring finger continues to this day.

How did the wedding ring evolve? --Medieval and Renaissance Wedding Rings

Since the Middle Ages, people have been setting their wedding rings with precious stones. Medieval Europeans used rubies for passion, sapphires for heaven and diamonds for steadfastness.

Wedding bands

Diamond and ruby rings from the late Middle Ages.

Roman Fede rings and portrait rings were popular in medieval Europe. Around the 17th century, Fede motifs began to be engraved on bicone rings (rings with two or three bands interlocking). During an engagement, a pair of lovers wore one band each. During the marriage ceremony, the groom puts his own ring on the bride's finger, and the double wedding rings form a single unit. The rings are combined to present the shape of two right hands clasped together.

Circa 17th century, the Fede ring motif evolved into the Claddagh ring - two hands holding a heart. Claddagh rings often have a third center band that displays the gemstone held in both hands. The Poesy ring became popular during the Renaissance and Elizabethan eras. This type of ring has a message of love engraved on the inside or outside of the band.

Puritans in colonial America considered jewelry frivolous and vulgar. Therefore, instead of giving their wives rings, Puritan husbands gave thimbles. After the bride used the thimble to sew dresses and other fabrics for her new home, she could saw off the top of the thimble to make a ring.

Wedding Band

This antique Claddagh wedding band features a large rose-cut heart-shaped diamond under a crown of diamonds, which is cupped by two hands carved in enamel work. The ring is inscribed "Dudley and Katherine united 26 March 1706". Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum.