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Wedding rings in themselves are symbolic, but other symbols often accompany
them.
- The European tradition is one of engraving of the name of one’s fiancé,
along with the date of the marriage, on the inside of the ring.
- Probably the most imposing ring of all times was that used in Hebrew
weddings because it was so large and unwieldy. This Jewish wedding ring was
actually shaped like the dome of the Jewish Temple; it could not be worn as
we think of wearing a ring today. Since it was only used in a small portion
of the ceremony and then removed, the “wedding ring” was often the property
of the synagogue and borrowed the event.
- Precious stones were very popular. In Victorian times, different stones
were often used to spell out words of love, such as L (lapis lazuli), O
(opal), V (verde antique), M (marcasite), and E (emerald), which spelled out
LOVE ME.
- One other tradition was that of wearing a ring set with a different
stone for each day of the week. This was based on the belief that planet
gods, who each favored a particular stone, controlled the days. The stones
reportedly associated with each day or astral body vary (and sometimes
conflict), depending on the specific belief system. Gems that have been
associated with each include:
- Sunday (Sun): Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Red Garnet
- Monday (Moon): Pearl, Emerald, White coral, Moonstone
- Tuesday (Mars): Ruby, Red coral, Topaz
- Wednesday (Mercury): Emerald, Amethyst, Peridot, Jade, Turquoise
- Thursday (Jupiter): Cornelian, Yellow Sapphire, Yellow Topaz
- Friday (Venus): Diamond, Emerald, Emerald, Sapphire, White Topaz,
Ruby
- Saturday (Saturn): Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Amethyst, Tourmaline
- One technique that evoked mystery was to combine letters that seemed to
mean nothing, but were actually two names, one reading from left to right
and the other from right to left.
- Combining metals is a more recent phenomenon, such as artistically
combining gold and iron to signify the combining strength and beauty.
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