2007-01-18 08:14:44 · 3 answers · asked by Manny 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Pope Nicholas I decreed in 860 A.D. that any man seeking to marry would be required to give a gold ring to his future bride as a sign of intent to marry. This was confirmed in the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) by Pope Innocent III, when it was decided that this practice was to be upheld as the ring signified the financial commitment made by man to his future wife, and to ward off any potential suitors.
Wedding rings were first used by the Egyptians around 2800 B.C., and the tradition continued through Rome and into the Christian church. Church historians reference exchanging of rings as far back as the 1st and 2nd centuries. The practice was adopted formally by the church because (as referenced above) the "love vein," as it was sometimes called ran from the 4th finger on the left hand to the heart.
2007-01-18 09:56:14 · answer #1 · answered by just an inkling 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I think it started with the bone in the nose, or the ring? And then the leg bracelets? Then it was just a little too much like slavery, so they disguised it with the left finger closest to the heart and the woman is suppose to be on the right hand of man. The ring was made for women, and a circle around it to symbolize a unity between two people in love a forever thing. Marriage and or bondage? Which ever way you make it. Ha ha I guess we became civilized past the time of the club the dragging of the woman by her hair caveman style, but then I don't know have you ever been in any divorce court rooms lately? ha ha ha
2007-01-18 16:24:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In ancient times, it was believed that the ring finger on the left hand had a vein which ran directly to the heart. The ring was to signify that someone was "tied" to your heart.
2007-01-18 17:02:10 · answer #3 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋