Tagged: engagement ring

The Wedding Ring: A Brief History

Wedding rings are the final gift a couple will give each other prior to marriage. Some might say that the very first gift a couple gives each other is a promise ring – which most consider a pre-engagement ring. Then as a couple gets more serious they then give engagement rings to each other.

Many couples look forward to the moment when they’ll slip a ring on their beloved. The look of love in their eyes, that moment when the ring is on their finger and they realize that they are theirs forever. What most don’t realize is that these moments with wedding rings have been happening for centuries. The meaning and symbolism behind a wedding ring is rich and as intricate as its own love story. It deserves to be told so that couples know exactly why they use wedding rings.

This wedding ring is a symbol and throughout time this symbol has stood for love, devotion and at times simply for an arrangement between families. The physical structure of the wedding ring has changed and adapted as different cultures have fashioned it into different forms to make it look beautiful. Some materials are more plentiful in different areas – and other materials or precious metals are considered to be more valuable in other areas. But the meaning behind the symbol has remained the same throughout time and over continents. “I love you” “I want to be with you forever” and “You are mine.”

A ring in its simplest forms is a circle: meaning ‘eternity.’ What more could every couple want than the pure desire to spend eternity together? Most couples choose to have a sentiment or romantic saying engraved inside their wedding rings. This makes that universal symbol so much more personal for each couple.

Symbols exist throughout our culture. Even the materials the wedding ring is made out of can be seen as symbols of love and devotion. Most wedding rings include diamonds. Diamonds are literally indestructible; they are the “forever” stone you want to select to represent your love. Rubies are another choice that represents love, passion and preciousness. While the wedding ring itself is seen as valuable – the symbolism of the wedding ring shows that your beloved is valuable to you. By giving them a valuable ring – you are showing the world just how valuable they are to you. In older days – you might also be protecting your ‘property’ (when women were considered property and possessions).

The wedding ring was worn in later times just as it is today, on the left hand, third finger. This is because of the strong-held belief that the vein in this finger travels directly from the heart. This belief was affirmed as women began wearing their wedding rings closer to their hand and then their engagement ring on that same hand – affirming this belief about this hand being so close to your heart.

Wedding rings have been worn in many traditions. While the traditions may be slightly different – the sentiment and meaning – to love, treasure and honor one another forever – remains very much the same. In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians, rings are exchanged not at the wedding service – but at the betrothal. The groom’s ring is gold and the bride’s ring is silver. In Greece rings are exchanged by couples as they are engaged they are worn on the left hand, fourth finger – and at the wedding they are switched to the right hand. In England, a wedding ring has traditionally always been exchanged. This appears to come from the long-standing belief that marriages were made as arrangements to exchange not just love and honor – but goods or property as well. This belief holds true for most European countries.

During World War II and the Korean War it became popular for men to wear wedding rings. This reminded them of the wonderful wife they had waiting at home for them. After these wars, men began to wear wedding rings to show their faithfulness, devotion and love. Now most men wear wedding rings in many cultures around the world.

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What is a Moppet?

Moppet
Moppet

Remember, when you were growing up, the simple little disc charms that your mother wore? Remember how they dangled from her bracelet; set with tiny little birthstones, representing each one of her children, and how proud she was to show them off? Or how they were used to entertain a certain (hint, hint) wriggly toddler as he (or she) sat on her lap; or on occasion, jiggled around to soothe a crying baby.

Perhaps your grandmother or favorite aunt wore such bracelets themselves. Well now, there is a fresh twist on this timeless custom. One of the newest , as well as cutest, items to arrive on the sentimental jewelry scene has been: The Moppet. While the official definition of ‘Moppet’ refers to a beloved child, these particular Moppets are, affectionately worn; jewel (or birthstone) encrusted charms, representing the special (or beloved) little ‘Moppets’ in your life. They arrive in likenesses of either girls or boys. Some don baseball caps, while others are adorned in bows and pigtails. In fact, some even have cute little built-in “accessories” of their very own! These delightfully unique charms arrive in either silver or gold, and are designed to be worn dangling from a charm bracelet or suspended from a necklace. The faceless little darlings are so adorable, that one can almost picture a barely suppressed impish grin or giggle. Why not consider picking up one or two of them to give to a few of the special ladies in your life.

Moppets are provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts.

Oh, we almost forgot….the Muppets…What has one got to do with the other, you may ask? With the exception of extreme cuteness….Absolutely nothing! Let’s just say a little Moppet ;) told us to say this:

Minah Minah…


What’s Worse – Marriage, Death or Taxes?

Death and taxes are two of the certainties in life but marriage is a choice (at least in our society) so the answer has got to be “marriage!”

Let’s just take a look at the facts:

  • Men die on average 5 years before women – one reason is so they can have a rest!
  • Half of marriages end in divorce – divorce is derived from the Latin word related to emasculate but in a modern sense it really means open wallet extraction without anesthetic;
  • Men are expected to work and provide while women are expected to stay at home and look after the kids, which neatly leads on to;
  • Kids – affectionate little darlings that will eat, poop and sleep usually when you wish to do one of the aforementioned and don’t forget the cost even without college tuition – for each and every one your beloved pops out you are just paying for a Ferrari.

Death and taxes are a couple of things you just have to deal with in life unless you want to be Wesley Snipes new roomie at whatever penitentiary he’s serving time in for failing to render unto Uncle Sam that which belongs to Uncle Sam.  Death is inescapable and there is nothing you can do about that except postpone it – look after yourself, exercise regularly, watch your diet and keep your life as stress free and as calm as possible (yet another reason to avoid marriage!).

Unless you are into pain and distress, why would anyone choose such a state of being?

Death and taxes are things we have no real control over – they exist, they are a fact of life so deal with them and get over it!

Marriage is a choice but why do so many lemmings take the plunge if it’s such a bad rap?

Sex is a big reason, you get comfortable with someone and you start thinking pillow thoughts such as, “This would be great every day.” and guess what – she knows it too!

Society as a whole has placed the institution of marriage on a pedestal and so much marketing spin has been applied it is almost impossible to separate fact from friction.  Sex is NOT something you get every day when you are married – if you’re still getting laid once a month after five years it isn’t with your wife!  There is an old adage about why lobster bisque is the same as a night of passion – when you’re married they are both things you only get away from home!

Sex is not the primary cause of divorce though – the real reason is actually money issues but therein lies the rub – you don’t need to be in financial hell to mess up your marriage because no matter what you make, no matter how much you accumulate and no matter what kind of great life you provide for your wife and family you have to understand it will NEVER be enough! Be careful before you give the engagement ring.

This is hard wired into women; the grass will always be greener but it is not a change of view they are interested in so much as a more successful man – don’t be arrogant or full of hubris here because there are always guys who make more than you do unless your name is Bill Gates.  It comes down to who will look after her and the kids better and if someone comes onto the scene who looks like they can – your days are numbered.

It is the masking of marriage as an ideal state of being that has raised expectations for so many couples embarking on this lifelong commitment which half will never keep – expectations have been raised beyond reality and in effect, marriage has become little more than a marketing con which is crass hypocrisy.