The Ring: We’ve Got History
“Look how my ring encompasseth thy finger,
Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart;
Wear both of them, for both of them are thine.”
— Richard the Second: William Shakespeare, 1593
The ancients believed that the third finger, left hand, had a special vein, vena amoris, the vein of "love" running from this finger directly to the heart. While having no basis in scientific anatomy, the romantic custom still stands. King Edward VI of England designated the third finger, left hand, as the ring finger and in 1549 the Book of Common Prayer designated the left hand as the marriage hand.
In all ancient cultures the circle was considered to be the symbol of perfection; it is perfect unity, without beginning or end. It is the symbol of the sun, earth and universe, and represents holiness, perfection and peace.
The word "betrothed" derives from the Anglo-Saxon "troweth", meaning truth. Thus betrothed means giving a truth or pledge. And so with that, an engagement ring would indicate to all that she has pledged her love to one man.
Oh and one more 15th Century ring related fact — Maximillian of Austria really wanted to marry Mary of Burgundy, but was afraid she would not accept his proposal. So, he was advised to buy her a diamond. He did, she accepted, and they were married on August 17, 1477. This is the first reported diamond engagement ring. Fair to say Mary made him work for it!
Needless to say, rings have come very far since the rigidness of the 15th Century, and now we wear them simply because we want to. Amen.
Fast forward to the 21st century and check out some of our 2020 ring collection.
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