The circle has been the symbol of an infinite story for centuries, a cycle that never ends. In Roman times they gave an engagement ring in which a small key was carved. There wasn't a lot of romance, because actually the key was a symbol of status and wealth, the ring was the sign of ownership and not for love. In other words, the man seized upon the woman. Since the Roman Times until the 13th century, there were almost no engagement rings given. Earlier in Europe, engagement rings were given as a sign of pledge of fidelity and love. During the 16th century in America, a thimble was given as signs of eternal brotherhood. The woman would then remove the rip of the thimble to make a ring of it, this was common in religious society, because they avoided jewels.
Historically, the ring was really used as it is today a tradition since 1215. The then Pope suggested in 1215 that people should have a certain time between engagement and the actual wedding. The rings were a symbol for the dedication that couples had towards each other. This was also a symbol of status, since only the rich were allowed to wear rings with jewels.
The first official note of an engagement ring with diamonds is dating from 1477 in Austria. Maximillan from Austria then gave a diamond ring at the engagement with Marie of Burgundy. This has influenced the behavior of the upper class. The gift of a diamond ring to the beloved one, was considered as decant prosperity. When the diamond mines were discovered in Africa in 1870, there was a downwards influence. The supply of diamonds increased, causing that middle class could also afford diamond engagement rings.
This ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, this is an ancient Greek tradition which said that the vain in that finger went straight to the heart. These times, especially in Western civilization, it is common that the future bride wears the engagement rings permanently to show her dedication.
As you can see this ring has gone through a lot of changes as the years have come by. It is a symbol that lives amongst the people of most cultures and every culture has it's own way to celebrate the engagement of two people that choose to live side by side until death. But the central piece in all cultures is the ring itself...
Historically, the ring was really used as it is today a tradition since 1215. The then Pope suggested in 1215 that people should have a certain time between engagement and the actual wedding. The rings were a symbol for the dedication that couples had towards each other. This was also a symbol of status, since only the rich were allowed to wear rings with jewels.
The first official note of an engagement ring with diamonds is dating from 1477 in Austria. Maximillan from Austria then gave a diamond ring at the engagement with Marie of Burgundy. This has influenced the behavior of the upper class. The gift of a diamond ring to the beloved one, was considered as decant prosperity. When the diamond mines were discovered in Africa in 1870, there was a downwards influence. The supply of diamonds increased, causing that middle class could also afford diamond engagement rings.
This ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, this is an ancient Greek tradition which said that the vain in that finger went straight to the heart. These times, especially in Western civilization, it is common that the future bride wears the engagement rings permanently to show her dedication.
As you can see this ring has gone through a lot of changes as the years have come by. It is a symbol that lives amongst the people of most cultures and every culture has it's own way to celebrate the engagement of two people that choose to live side by side until death. But the central piece in all cultures is the ring itself...
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