Engagement Ring:
The gift of a ring is a very old tradition which was used to seal any important or sacred agreement. Engagement rings were given in the days of “marriage by purchase,” both as a partial payment and as a symbol of the groom’s good intentions. Diamonds have been the popular gems for engagement rings because they are the most durable stones. The first diamond engagement rings were worn in medieval Italy. Superstition maintains that a diamond’s sparkle come from the fires oflove.
The Symbolism of the Wedding RingsThe wedding rings symbolize the promises binding two people together in marriage. The unbroken circle of the wedding band represents the continuity of undying love. Greek theory believed the fourth finger of the left hand to be connected to the heart, making this the appropriate finger to be “bound” in romantic attachment.
The Couple Being Pronounced
“Husband and Wife”
This establishes their change of names and a definite point in time for the beginning of the marriage. These words are to remove any doubt in the minds of the couple or the witnesses concerning the validity of the marriage.
Kissing the Bride
During the Roman Empire, the kiss between a couple symbolized a legal bond. Continued use of the kiss to seal the marriage bond is based on the deeply rooted idea of the kiss as a vehicle for transference of power and souls. It symbolizes the couple’s faith and love, and seals the confidence that they privately share. The kiss also signifies respect and obedience to mutual beliefs.
