The Significance of Engagement Rings
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Posted On :
Apr-20-2011
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Article Word Count :
807
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Weddings are not just an occasions that are celebrated in a grand way to mark happiness and joy in the lives of the wedded couples.
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Weddings are not just an occasions that are celebrated in a grand way to mark happiness and joy in the lives of the wedded couples. Weddings also symbolize the union of two souls and bodies that are destined to be connected forever. It is not just for one lifetime but the symbolic significance refers to this union as eternal and everlasting. Engagement rings and wedding bands are thus, not just pieces of jewelry that wedded couples present to each other but they have a farfetched meaning and deep significance that are seldom realized and appreciated by many.
Engagement rings and wedding bands are definitely an integral part of wedding jewelry. However, besides being an item in the jewelry list, they bear emotions of both the partners in the form of an eternal circle worn in the fingers. They are worn as symbol of lover, fidelity, eternity, honor, and commitment for each other. They also reflect the strength of a marriage to see through the ups and downs of life and be with each other. Wedding rings are made of different metals and thus, often the metal is also associated with the eternal love and companionship of the wedded couples.
The significance of wedding bands and engagement rings dates back to the ancient times when they had a different story to tell in different parts of the world. The origin of wedding rings goes back to Egypt from where the tradition of wearing the rings in the fourth or the ring finger occurred. According to Egyptian belief, there is vein in the fourth finger that connects directly to the heart and hence this tradition of wearing wedding rings in the fourth finger. Along with the Egyptians, the Romans also adhered to the same belief and tradition of ring finger. However, instead of taking love as the primary emotion of marriage, the Romans believed in ownership, where the men used to claim their women by marrying them and presenting the wedding rings.
The Europeans looked at engagement rings and wedding bands as a promise of eternal love and togetherness for each other. On the other hand, the Asians had a very interesting story behind wearing these rings. Wedding rings in these parts of the world were 'puzzle rings' that would fall apart if removed. Putting the ring together again required skill and expertise. Thus, the men used to give these rings to their wives and would know if they have removed them while they were away.
The design and metal of the wedding bands and engagement rings may vary widely. Be it different types of gold such as yellow, white, etc. or platinum each ring is special in its own way and can reflect your sentiments. Therefore, it is very important that you choose your wedding ring very carefully. There are rings that have special words or phrases engraved on them. Alternatively, some couples may choose to engrave the first alphabets of their names as well.
Although both engagement rings and wedding bands symbolize emotions and promises that are mostly common, there is a subtle difference between the two. While engagement rings symbolize betrothal to their beloved and the willingness to marry each other, wedding bands seal the union of the married couples. Once ancient, gradually, the ancient practice of these exchanging rings for engagement and marriage became so popular that it has become a common ritual among people of all religion and caste all over the world today.
Engagement rings mark the beginning and committed status of a relationship and are removed and replaced by the wedding rings. Some people might even choose to wear both rings to mark the eternal love and bonding for each other. At the beginning, gold was considered to be the most precious metal to be used for wedding rings. Eventually gold was replaced by other metals such as platinum. As for the stone, diamonds are an all time favorite to signify the eternity of love, marriage, and companionship. The options are endless and are obviously decided by the budget and preference of the couples.
When shopping for engagement rings and wedding bands, it is advisable to check out multiple options. Remember, it will be a gift of your lifetime and thus, must be chosen very carefully keeping the significance of the occasion in mind. Your beloved/wife will treasure this gift for the rest of his/her life and thus, choose your ring accordingly. However, fix a budget and be practical in choosing. Remember, buying a ring of your choice and yet sticking to your budget is also possible if you know how to shop well. It is wise to compare the prices and other aspects (design, metal, stone, etc.) of multiple options and then decide on the one that suits you best.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_The Significance of Engagement Rings_59930.aspx
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Author Resource :
World Jewels is an excellent website that prides on showcasing and selling the best variety of engagement rings, solitare rings, and diamond wedding bands that are the best in terms of quality and total value for money, truly a woman’s best friend.
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Keywords :
engagement rings, wedding bands,
Category :
Society
:
Marriage
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