Marriage Ancient Egyptian Wedding Rings

Relics and papyrus scrolls indicate that couples exchanged braided rings from reeds and hemp.

Marriage ancient egyptian wedding rings.

Relics dating to 6 000 years ago including papyrus scrolls are evidence of the exchange of braided rings of hemp or reeds between spouses. Historians agree that the first known use of wedding rings was about 6 000 years ago in ancient egypt. The romans adopted this belief and wore wedding rings on their ring. The rulers of ancient egypt laid down several laws rights and duties one of the firsts being gender equality opportunities.

Ancient egypt considered the circle to be a symbol of eternity and the ring served to signify the perpetual love of the spouses. Men and women in ancient egypt seem almost equal in marriage and women have enjoyed greater rights such as the right to dispose of property or initiation divorce. The ancient egyptians were the first to give the right to divorce to both husbands and wives. Yes in egypt they exchanged rings as gifts of devotion then in greece they gave rings to lovers featuring eros the god of love or his cherubs.

Ancient egyptians believed that the ring finger or the fourth finger of the left hand contained a vena amoris or vein of love that led directly to the heart. Romantic love was a popular theme for poetry especially in the period of the new kingdom 1570 1069 bce when a number of works appear praising the virtues of one s lover or wife. Wedding rings have been around for thousands of years and although wedding ring styles and materials may change their stature as a symbol of love and commitment remains. Most commonly with a fede ring depicting two hands clasping in love or agreement dextrarum iunctio.

The image of a couple exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony is instantly recognizable and is held as an ancient tradition. Traditions ebb and flow throughout history but certain things are truly timeless. In fact the universal wedding symbol the perfectly round ring also dates back to the ancient egypt when the circle of the. These designs could be.

From ancient egypt to the modern day. Although marriages in ancient egypt were arranged for communal stability and personal advancement there is ample evidence that romantic love was as important to the people as it is to those in the present day. In the egyptian art women were often depicted as supporting or encompassing their husband while husband and wife often call each other as brother or sister again. The first recorded evidence of what we would consider the forerunner of the modern custom of exchanging rings is found in ancient egyptian scrolls dating back more than 3 000 years.

Even later romans began personalizing their rings by carving portraits of themselves into their rings. But it is believed that it was the romans who linked the ring to marriage. A ring on a certain finger indicates that the wearer is married but many might be surprised to learn that the double ring ceremony so common today in the western world in which a couple both exchange and wear rings is a 20 th century convention.