Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-09-12
FINGERS AND RINGS
Why Engagement Ring Is Worn
on Left Hand.
Il Was Rule In Ancient Greek Church
70 Use Rlght-Hand Third Finger
w Fashion Changed At Time
OF Reformation.

the left hand Ia now ever considered
for either an engagement or wedding
ring, but 1t was not always so. At
the time Of the Reformation 1t was
Just coming Into fashion, and the rule
In the ancient Greek church was the
use OF the right-hand third finger.
Wedding rings have been used as far
back as We have any record. and
the right hand was the favored one.
There are no authentic reasons for
the change save that, the right hand
being in active use. the ring was more
liable to wear and Injury, 40 the gold
used was exceedingly soft. A NTH
century writer speaks very entertain
insly of rings, 1t was then the fash.
ion to wear great numbers Of them.
deliberately set with jewels, carved,
and sometimes OF massive designs
and proportions. 90 that the hands
thus laden we're scarcely fitted for
heavy work, Then the rings began to
be worn exclusively upon the lett
hand, leaving the right one free.
g The fanciful reason given by many
for the use of the third Ieft-hand nm
ger is that 1t Is nearest the heart. and.
As an old chronicle says, this digit
hath especially the honor to bear
rings" The story OF the signet ring
has an interest to all, for history tells
us that every free man in Greece was
privileged to wear his signet ring, and
it was a much-prized possession. The
custom was evidently adopted from
the Sabines, and free citizens Of Rome
made some Of theirs Of iron. After
ward, when Rome was luxuriating In
her tremendous power and was IN
the height Of glory, many stanch old
Roman displayed his signet ring OF
iron In token Of his regard for the
simple way In which they used to
live. ..a &c.,.
History does not tell US just when
the custom OF wedding rings origi-
mated, but it vas long before the time
OF Christ. Some say that the ring
is an emblem Of eternity, as the circle
has no beginning and no ending; and
from the earliest time it was regarded
as a symbol OF constancy and fidelity.
and exchanged in other transactions
besides matrimony when evidences OF
faith and loyalty were solemnly sworn
to and sealed with the sacred token.
At first the, signet rings were used
in the marriage ceremony, and IN the
sixteenth century motto" rings came
into favor. That means the plain
golden circles inscribed with Until
DEATH "Semper fdelis, Two hearts
that beat as one" "Mizpah," I'VE two
together Co." "One faith, one love-
etc. These were called "pOsy" rings.
Another reason for selecting the
third finger for the wedding ring IL
the fact that from the earliest time
the bishops or heads Of the churches
wore the insignia of their ONCE upon
that finger; the. high priest <of the
temple" wore 1t as long as he retained
the position. 1t being placed there IN
the conservation ceremony. We find
the bishops Of today wearing the
church ring set with an amethyst.
Signet rings are mentioned IN the
Bible, and we find the ring In those
days to have been q sign of honor -
it is with US. During the war lover
who wished to specially honor his
bride sent the gold money to the
goldsmith with which to fashion the
wedding ring, for in those days the
heavier and broader the band the
better. and girls used to measure the
width and theft" the circles to see
whose was the broadcast and heaviest.
and thereby establish social stand
ing unimpeachable.. .r .. Z
Now the bride asks for a very mar
row rounded circle with which to
pledge her vows, one that will be a
unobstrusive as possible and not inter.
fer with the wearing of her other
much-bejeweled rings, some OF which
IRE almost as big as sixpences and
as long as-:well, as long as the I'm
gers which they adorn. :-~: