As serious of a union that marriage is, a majority of the individuals that enter into this lifelong union have absolutely no idea about any of the history of wedding rings.
No matter what part of the country you may wish to travel to, chances are, that no matter where you might go, the wedding ring will be easily recognized for the loving commitment that this circle of eternity is meant to represent.
The mysterious history of the wedding ring begins along the sandy deserts of North Africa. Pharaoh and all of the Egyptians that were known as his people, dotted all along the Nile river and the vast fertile flood plains that lined all along the banks of the Nile.
Many of the reeds, rushes and sedges that flourished along the riverbanks were what ultimately became known as the first wedding rings. The Egyptians would artistically fashion these twigs and reeds into what became known as the first wedding rings. They would carefully braid and twist each piece into a cherished and delicate wedding ring to be presented to their loved one. Normally the wedding rings that were made in this manner would only last about a year.
Other materials started being used, such as ivory, bone, and even leather. It was evident that these types of material would last significantly longer when used in the craftsmanship of the wedding rings, than the original materials that were used, which even included the use of hemp. There were of course many other pieces of jewelry that were also made, such as bracelets that would be worn on the wrist.
The wedding ring had great meaning for the Egyptians, other than merely being a ring worn on the finger. Just as it is today, the circle that seemed to return to itself by having no beginning and no end, symbolized eternity. The center of the ring had a meaning that goes way beyond just an empty center. For the Egyptians, it symbolized both the known and the unknown special events and things that were yet to come through the door, or the gateway, which was the center of the ring.
To even further describe the depth of the meaning that was encircled around the wedding rings worn by the Egyptians, they also believed that the vein of the third finger of the left hand, traveled directly from the heart.
Even though it occurred rather gradually, in later years metallurgy slowly began to replace the earlier styles in which the wedding rings were made. The craftsmanship of the first rings that were made in this manner was often poorly designed and extremely uneven. To help enhance the style of these early forms of the wedding ring, couples would often receive various gems and precious stones that could be set into the bands. Most of these rings were more used to convey ones high standing and wealth.
When the brides of Egyptian times accepted a wedding ring, she then became tied to the man who presented her with the ring, and known as his property. In turn, the woman who accepted the ring also enjoyed rights that would protect her as his bride to be. After accepting the wedding ring from him, the enforceable and binding contract that it portrayed would be summoned upon to prevent any rivals she might have, to be unable to overtake her position.
The overall design of the wedding ring might have changed a great deal since these earlier years, but its deep meaning of love and eternity still remains the same.
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