The Washington times., 1903-07-05
Origin Of tbe
Weooino Ring

THERE is much marrying and Civ
ing in marriage these days. and
at each and every ceremony
bride and guests are careful TO preserve
hallowed traditions. Superstition may
4 be defed on all occasions but these.
wedding without blue garters and rice
and old shoes is almost. II not quite. as
bad as Hamlet with the Prince Of
Denmark out of the cast. But. although
everybody knows what should be done
TO propitiate the good fairies. few have
any idea OF the origin of the hundred
and one customs attending the wedding
da-.
The use of the ring Is. without doubt.
tie most ancient and symbolic accessory
OF the celebration OF marriage So prev
alent is the feeling regarding its indis-
pensability that strange substitutes
have been used in cases OF emergency
when the conventional hoop of gold had
been forgotten. Curtain rings and KEY
rings have done duty. and a more per
sonal substitute has often been devised
by cutting ring from the 5rfdegroon's
glove.
Anciently ring marked an ONCE OF
great dignity, being worn only bv
king or given by him to his messengers.
that their authority might be estab-
lished- AS civilization advanced and
woman's position was more chivalrousiy
regarded. the ring was given her as a
token Of the high dignity bestowed upon
her in the marriage ceremony.
The choice OF the form OF the ring
is for twcfold reason-the poetic
meanings ascribed to it, and the fact
that its plainness makes II more prac-
teal for constant use. Among the
Egyptians a circle was the hierogIyphic
oppression of eternity. It's adaptation
for use as the marriage token in prefer
cnce to a pin or earring or any other
kind OF ornament is said 20 be that II
can be worn constantly. and is not put
on with any particular garment; also.
that IT is always within sight Of the
bride. keeping the bridegroom in mind.
Various reasons are given for the
adoption of the so-caIled ring-hnger as
the resting place OF this emblem. and 10
this usage also the fanciful and utili-
tartan mind have sscribed diverse orr
gins.
The former Interpretation has il that
the belief was very current, before the
days OF advanced anatomy. that a small
artery ran from this finger to the heart
directly What could be more to the
! purpose Of poetical logic than that the
wedding ring should rest there? The
choice of the left hand is by some sup
posed to symbolic the submission Of the
wife 10 her husband
The practical mind disposes Of thess
fancies by suggesting that in this posi-
tion the ring was more protected from
wear and injury or loss, as the left
hand is not so much in use as the right.
and this finger is protected on either
side and is capable OF a less degree OF
independent action than any other finger.
In many old pictures OF the Virgin.
Her ring was painted on Her forehnger.
as was the custom for the wearing OF il
in ancient Greece and Rome. This finger
is the one nearest the mount OF Jupiter.
indicating the pride Of dignity
An old Italian custom placed the birth
month stone Of the bride in her wedding
ring. and this idea became elaborated
into the using of twelve stones. one for
each month. that no good fairy might be
appropriated Through this custom the
ring became so enormously expensive as
10 be a severe tax on many a humble
Groom in the middle ages. and hence the
revulsion 10 the plain circlet OF gold in
| universal use
The modern practice of a gift OF Jew
elry from the groom TO the bride aside
from the engagement or wedding ring IS
survival Of the cid institution OF the
draw-purse, or purse of coins, which
ne gave her TO signify that he had pur-
chased her from her friends.