The Symbolism of Wedding Rings Throughout the World

The actual symbolism of the wedding ring ranges heavily when you contrast various societies. Nevertheless, those that use plain bands each seem to share a general theme of unremitting love, devotion, and a universal understanding of the recurring renewal of the wedding vows.

There have been times during history, in varying cultures, where the woman accepted the ring as a sign of being owned. Her need to stay faithful to the vows was considered to be greater than a man’s need to stay faithful to the wedding vows. Breaches, in principle, could lead to death for a woman.

Rings have an extensive history of being considered a form of protection. Some traditions have believed them to hold special powers that were at their most potent after a cantation, or blessing. Considering that we still often use blessings and canting as part of the ring exchange during a wedding it could easily be said that we still hold at least part of this view. The protection that a ring can offer is believed to be deep and rather mystical.

Why do we place a wedding ring on the left hand? Why do we wear it on the third finger? Not all traditions agree with this belief and there are lots of cultures that wear the wedding ring on the right hand. The source of such a tradition can be traced back to Ancient Rome. The Romans were sure that this finger contained a certain artery that ran uninterrupted from the hand to the heart. This artery was considered to be only in the third finger of the left hand.

Needless to say, there are lots of left handed theories that contribute to the ongoing tradition. Rings and watches frequently go on the left hand as an emblem of peace. The right hand was seen as the sword hand, and an unexpected movement with the right hand could result in the perception of danger. The left hand was seen as a hand that had limited dexterity and thus could be trusted if it made a move. That hypothesis is clearly disputed by left handed individuals.

If you look at wedding ring symbolism throughout the world, most cultures still lean toward the single plain band that is remarkably simple. With the exception of Celtic weddings, the simple decor of the band was thought to announce a marriage regardless of the region a woman may find herself in. With a universal understanding there would be less temptation for infidelity.

Just about every society in the world exchanges a ring before or during a wedding ceremony. Not all societies support the male requirement for a wedding ring. Each background knows that the symbolism of the wedding ring is directly related to the commitment and promise of a future that’s sealed in togetherness.

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