These rings have remained popular over the centuries, and are still part of the engagement and wedding ring traditions of Italy today. ( CC BY NC SA 4.0 ) Passing On Marriage Traditions The clasped hands design was popular for Roman wedding rings. Roman gold fede rings from the 2nd or 3rd century. The most common type of ring associated with Roman marriages was the ‘fede’ ring, which had a design showing a pair of clasped hands, or an entwined couple. During this period, gold rings became more elaborate and sumptuous, an indication of an owner’s wealth, as well as a craftsman’s skill. Gold wedding rings became especially prominent from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD onwards. Whilst sumptuary laws prohibited the lower classes from wearing gold rings, they were difficult to enforce, and even slaves were recorded to have plated their iron rings with gold.Īn elaborate gold and onyx Roman wedding ring from the 3rd century. Gold was another material used by the Romans to make wedding rings - as a symbol of wealth. This ring was made of iron and worn by the wife. Iron was chosen as the material for these rings as it was meant to symbolize strength and permanence. The first of these was worn at home, whilst the second was worn in public to impress people. Women in ancient Roman society were given two wedding rings, an iron one and a gold one. ( CC0 ) Two Rings and Two Symbols for Marriage Putting a Price on Marriage: The Long-standing Custom of DowriesĪ Roman gold ring from the 3rd century AD depicting the figure of Cupid (“desire” –god of love) holding a ball, one leg on a rock.Magical Rings and Their Mystical Powers.Why Do Couples Exchange Rings with Vows? The Elusive Ancient Origins of Wedding Rings.Therefore, only women wore engagement rings in ancient Rome. In addition, Roman engagement rings indicated that a woman was about to pass from the ownership of one man (her father) to another (her future husband). as a public marker that a contract has been made between the couple, as well as between their families. The giving of engagement rings in ancient Rome may be seen in this light, i.e. Given that marriage in ancient Rome was something that required strict adherence to law, it may not be surprising that it was also regarded as a contract. ( CC BY SA 4.0 ) A Roman woman should receive both engagement and wedding rings as part of marriage law. There were also other laws governing marriage in ancient Rome, including the acquisition of parental consent before a marriage, and a minimum age for marriage (12 for females and 14 for males).įragment from the front of a sarcophagus showing a Roman marriage ceremony. Such individuals include people who were already married, eunuchs, and couples within the bounds of certain blood relationships. The term connubium, for instance, denotes the legal right to get married, and this was a requirement before people could wed. In ancient Rome, a marriage would have been called justae nuptiae, justum matrionium or ligitimum matrimonium. Legalities of Roman Marriage and Engagement Rings Therefore, we have an idea of how wedding rings functioned in ancient Rome, and how they fit into the customs of that society. Whilst these rings have their origins in either ancient Egypt or ancient Greece, it was under the Romans that detailed legal requirements for engagements, weddings, and divorce were first instituted. This tradition may be traced back to ancient times, in particular, to the Roman period. The use of engagement rings and wedding rings are common in Western culture to indicate a person’s relationship status.
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