Male Wedding Rings: A History

The male wedding ring is as important as the female wedding ring in the wedding ceremony and life after. The ring is a symbol of many aspects of the relationship between the two people. It is also a means of conveying a message to the person they are married to. The tradition of men wearing wedding rings is younger than most people may think and there are many facts about the tradition that one should know.

When did men start wearing rings?

Looking back in history it is possible to find a trend of only women wearing wedding bands. The ring was given to the woman as a proposal of marriage. It was only in the early 20th century that the tradition of male wedding rings as we know it began. During the World Wars soldiers would wear wedding rings as a means of remembering their loved ones. It is only after the Korean War that male wedding bands took on the sentimental value they have today. At this time the creation of matching wedding rings increased and designs specifically for men came about.

Customary wearing of the ring

Wedding rings are always worn on the ring finger but the hand it is worn on will vary depending on the culture. In many cultures the ring is worn on the right hand to symbolise the vows of matrimony and the promise to uphold these vows. The reason for this is that the right hand is often used for oaths and vows. In other cultures the ring is worn on the left hand. One of the reasons for this is that it is believed the vein of love or vena amoris runs through the left hand. There are also claims for this hand which relate to the right hand being more dominant than the left. This means that the ring will not be damaged while the right hand is being used. The use of the ring finger is also thought to have a similar origin. The ring finger is the least used of the fingers and placing a ring on it will not disrupt the day to day working of the hand and the other fingers.

Rings to suit the man

When looking into male wedding rings the person who will be wearing it should be taken into account. What the man does can play an important part in the type of ring which is purchased. Traditionally male wedding bands were plain metal bands as most men worked with their hands. As times changed more intricate designs where implemented as men no longer had to worry about dirt collecting in the pattern. The metal used for these rings has also changed from being gold and silver to stainless steel, tungsten and titanium. The harder the metal the longer the ring will last and the more resistant to damage it will be.

Male wedding rings have changed over the years from being a means of remembering loved ones to a symbol of union. The hand the ring is worn on will differ depending on the culture.

Similar Posts