Ring Myths and Symbols

The ring is a never-ending circle with no beginning or end. Over the centuries much has been written about this and the mystical significance of the circle. The Roman wedding band was in the shape of a snake that eats itself, supposedly symbolising eternal life. A common Celtic design is the three interlocking rings of the Trinity, symbolising God, the Three in One. On a more practical note, it could be said that engagement rings and wedding rings are round because that’s the best, safest shape to slip on a finger.

Wedding rings have also been used for other purposes. In the Shetland Isles, wedding ring shawls were produced in the 1830s. These are six foot square and so finely knitted with gossamer thread, that they weigh only 2 grams and can be passed through wedding rings. They were a traditional wedding dress item and the test showed how skilled a knitter the prospective wife was. In recent years, wedding ring shawls have come back into fashion.

In a less scientific, but fun way, testing for the sex of unborn children by dangling the mothers’ wedding rings over the stomach has been a long tradition. If the ring sets into a circular movement it’s a girl; if it swings to and fro it’s a boy. It must be emphasised that this is regarded as an old wives’ tale.

Choosing engagement rings and wedding rings is always an enjoyable event, which we at Marlows encourage. Knowing a little about the symbolism and myths attached to gold engagement rings and gold wedding rings enriches the experience.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 26th, 2010 at 3:41 pm.

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