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History Of The Engagement Ring

Betrothal rings have become part of our culture but what is the history of the engagement ring?

The presentation of a ring by a man to a woman has become a traditional rite when proposing marriage.

This is because the engagement ring is seen as a declaration of love by two people who have decided they want to tie the knot and spend the rest of their lives together.

The presentation of engagement rings goes back to the time of ancient civilizations.

The engagement ring, as well as the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, and this particular custom appears to date back to the Ancient Egyptians

They believed that the “vein of love” ran directly from that finger to the heart – a romantic concept if not anatomically correct.

history of the engagement ring

Much of the history of the engagement ring is shrouded in mystery. We can only base our observations on our knowledge of ancient cultures.

We do know that in Ancient Greece betrothal – a mutual commitment by couples to marry – rings were given before marriage, and it can be argued that these were the forerunner to the engagement rings as we know them today.

The Romans also saw the exchange of betrothal rings before marriage as important, though these were at first fashioned out of iron.

Sometimes the rings were accompanied by a carved key, which the more romantic like to claim was a symbol of the unlocking of the woman’s heart. Eventually these rings were made out of precious metals such as gold.

An important development in the history of the engagement ring occurred in 860 when Pope Nicolas I issued a decree that a ring should be given upon betrothal or marriage. And by the late Middle Ages we see the concept of the engagement ring, as we know it, developing.

Diamond engagement rings are the dream of many women.

It could be argued that this dates back to 1477 when Archduke Maxmillian of Austria presented his intended, Mary of Burgundy, with a diamond ring – the hardness of the gemstone being associated with enduring love.

Because diamonds were so rare, and extremely expensive, they were the preserve of the rich and powerful. They did not become more widely used until the discovery of the gemstone in South Africa in the late 19th century.

Modern day rings are made out of a variety of metals and can be set with many different gems to make up the most wondeful gemstone engagement rings.

But their meaning is the same today as it was back in ancient Egyptian times – a declaration that two people are in love and want to marry.