Wedding rings are the most common symbol of marriage, and this symbol is already thousands of years old. I wonder why rings, and not other jewelry, are so strongly associated in people with strong and reliable marriage? And why are these rings worn on the ring fingers?
Why exactly rings?
The simplest explanation is also the most complete. The ideal and perfect shape of the rings symbolizes infinity, immutability. If we talk about the sphere of emotions, a simple smooth ring acquires global significance, becomes a symbol of loyalty and love, cohesion and community in relationships.
It is believed that the first wedding rings appeared among the ancient Egyptians. They made these rings out of gold to exchange them for marriage. The Egyptians took special strips of metal, gave them the desired shape, then the bride and groom put them on each other on the middle fingers of their left hands, it was these fingers that were considered directly connected to the heart. That is why the Eastern peoples wear rings after the wedding on the middle fingers.
European traditions
Europeans traditionally wear wedding rings on their ring fingers. It's all about the belief that it is this finger that acquires miraculous power thanks to the ring. The Greeks and Romans used the nameless one for rubbing healing drugs into the skin. European legends say that the ring finger with a wedding ring could heal various ailments.
The ancient Greeks, who undoubtedly influenced the formation of modern Western civilization, wore rings on their ring fingers to show the world that their hearts were busy. They have developed a whole system of signs. The ring on the forefinger said that the man was looking for his beloved, the ring on the little finger, opposite, spoke of the unwillingness and unwillingness to marry, and the ring put on the middle finger claimed that the owner was a real "playboy." The Greeks were the first to tie the ring finger and heart, that is, love. The fact is that in the process of anatomical studies it was found out that a certain thin nerve goes from the ring finger to the heart, which connects them together.
Other matters
Christians have adopted this tradition. In the ninth century, texts from the Bible began to be engraved on wedding rings, which directly linked the rings to the wedding ritual.
Esotericists believe that wedding rings work as limiters of energy currents. Since from an energetic point of view, the heart and ring finger are directly connected, when the bride and groom give each other wedding rings, they thus seal the hearts, close them to other heart addictions.
