The tradition of engagement rings dates back to the classical era when it was believed that a vein ran from the left ring finger to the heart. The tradition became widespread in the medieval era, with only the wealthiest noblemen able to afford gemstones. Today, diamond solitaires are the most common type of engagement ring.
In the Western world, there is a long tradition of engagement rings being presented to women to propose marriage. If the woman accepts, she wears the ring throughout the engagement. Not accepting the ring means that the woman rejects the proposal. More recently, men in some cultures have also begun to wear engagement rings, or the “promise ring” equivalent.
Since the tradition is so widespread in Western culture, with some regional differences, one may wonder how it started in the first place. The tradition of giving an engagement ring dates back to the classical era, when it was believed that there was a vein that ran directly from what is now known as the left “ring finger” to the heart. The fourth finger of the left hand is still the traditional finger for wearing the engagement ring.
The tradition of engagement rings, as we know it today, originated in the medieval era, when, in 1215, Pope Innocent III instituted a mandatory waiting period from engagement to marriage. During the first few hundred years in the engagement ring tradition, only the wealthiest noblemen could afford gemstones for their rings, and most engagement rings were simple metal bands. In many countries, including Denmark, Germany, and Sweden, plain bands are still worn as engagement rings.
As a larger portion of the population was able to purchase gemstone rings, engagement rings became highly symbolic, many featuring sets of stones with personal meanings. One popular model featured the birthstones of the engaged couple and each of their parents. Victorian lore included gemstones whose initials spelled out a message: Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Vermarine, and Emerald for LOVE, for example. Other popular rings had gems spelled Greetings or Dear Ones. Some engagement rings during this era also contained compartments for a lock of the betrothed’s hair.
Currently, England and the United States, among other countries, the most common type of engagement ring is a diamond solitaire. This is largely due to a De Beers advertising campaign in the 1940s. In some countries, such as France, other gemstones are commonly seen in engagement rings. An engagement ring tradition calls for the ring to be expensive as a symbol of the man’s commitment, and many engagement rings are truly impressive.
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