Exchanging Rings during wedding ceremonie's , Where did this come from? What does it mean?

Question

I am looking for the root of this tradition. Who was the first to come up with this idea? Why do they do it what does it represent? Is it pegan?

Thanks! 5 points to the person who gives me good solid info and history

Answer 1

It was started in ancient egypt as a symbol of the man's faith in his wife to properly fulfill her duties and keep the household...followed by Romans....today it symbolizes a union with no end a joining of two people into one. And signifying that there is eternal ongiong love until death do you part.

Answer 2

There are many different views of where the tradition of wearing a ring comes from. In Greek mythology, it was told that Prometheus smelted a ring from the fire of the gods out of his love for mankind. Some say the act of giving a ring is more of a symbol of the groom's willingness to make personal and financial sacrifices in order to 'take care of' his bride.

Early wedding rings were used to seal the 'sale' and transfer ownership of the woman from her father to her new husband. Such rings were usually gold as a sign of wealth and status. Some have said that the ring was worn on the left hand of the bride because it was the weakest finger on the weakest hand and thus the ring symbolized a husbands control over his wife. And of course to tell other men that she was taken, which is one of the ways we use the ring today.

A more romantic tradition has the wedding rings worn on the third finger of the left hand as there was an old Egyptian belief that there is a vein in this hand that runs directly to the heart. It was known as "the vein of love"

Most look at the ring now as a symbol of love and commitment. An unending circle made of an unbreakable metal and therefore signifies an unbreakable love and an unending commitment.

There isn't much mention about the groom wearing a ring at all until the early 1900's.

Answer 3

Rings - Long thought to have a vein going directly to the heart, the third finger of the left hand has been universally adopted throughout the ages as the ideal place for the wedding ring. The actual origin of the ring itself is thought to have originated in ancient Egypt. Initially made of hemp or vine the ring could be replaced whenever it wore out. The Romans later adopted the custom and cast the dye for today's tradition. Iron was used by these forebears to symbolize the strength of the couples bond. In the fifteenth century, the British elevated the symbol by replacing iron with gold. It's lasting qualities of strength, beauty and purity have resulted in a custom that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Answer 4

The ring symbolises joining together, and oneness. No idea where it comes from.

It may also be a bit more materialistic as well. A marriage contract used to be exactly that. Under English Law, for a contract to be valid, there must be an exchange of worth - consideration. A gold ring can be considered to be valuable, so binding the contract. That last bit is a supposition on my part.

Answer 5

The few examples cited above about the various superstitious and idolatrous use of finger rings are far from being exhaustive. The major encyclopedias I have consulted have lengthy articles describing the superstitious use of finger rings as charms, amulets, talismans, and as aids to the worship of various pagan gods.13 What has been mentioned should suffice to show that the origin of the finger ring is to be found in pagan superstitions and idolatrous practices.

The pagan origin and meanings of the finger ring raise questions about the legitimacy of its adoption by Christians to represents marital commitment. In the Bible the value of symbols is determined by their origin and meaning. The Sabbath, the Passover lamb and blood, the Lord’s Supper, baptism, and footwashing are all valuable symbols, because they have been established by God to help us conceptualize and internalize spiritual realities. Their value is derived from their divine origin, meaning, and function. By contrast, the meaning of the wedding ring as a symbol of marital commitment finds its origin not in Scripture, but in pagan mythology and superstitions. To invest a pagan symbol with a sacred Christian meaning, can easily lead to a secularization of the symbol itself. As we shall see, this is exactly what has happened with the use of the wedding ring.

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A case in point is the adoption of Sundaykeeping in early Christianity. As I have shown elsewhere,14 an important contributory factor to the Christian adoption of Sunday was the pagan veneration of the Sun god on its Sun-day. The attempt that Christians made to transform Sunday from a pagan holiday into a Christian Holy Day, was never successful. In spite of all the attempts that have been made throughout the centuries by church councils, popes, and Puritans to make Sunday into a holy day, the historical reality is that Sunday has largely remained a holiday, a day in which most people seek for personal pleasure and profit rather than for the presence and peace of God.

To a large extent the same has been true of the wedding ring. As we shall now see, in spite of the attempts made by church leaders to restrict the use of rings only to one plain marital ring, the historical reality is that many Christians throughout the centuries have given in to the temptation of wearing all sort of rings to adorn themselves rather than to express their marital commitment.


http://www.weddingringorigins.com/imp.htm

Answer 6

not sure where it stems from however the ring represents the beginning without end. such as god is the alpha and omega,the circle(ring) symbolizes the never ending relationship between the husband and wife,the way god has no beginning and no end.

Answer 7

yes a pagan idea
symbolic of having no beginning and no end .. to show the commitment in the relationship... everlasting
it is a lovely idea

Answer 8

its an old pagan ritual