Why Do We Wear Engagement Rings? What Importance Does it Hold?

When we hear someone they are engaged, the first thing we do is look at their hands for that beautiful piece of jewelry adorning their fingers.

A symbol of your bond, love and togetherness, the engagement ring embodies the tie a couple is affianced with. A stepping stone for the next ultimate level for a couple – marriage, the engagement ring also marks the mutual and formal agreement between two people to share their life, happiness and sorrows together.

While it may seem a romantic anecdote, there is a specific reason attached to the tradition or custom of wearing engagement rings. This didn’t come off as a straightforward convention but a culmination of various practices since the earlier times that has led to the modern time norm:

• During the 13^th century Pope Innocent III brought a law that made it compulsory for people to wait between the betrothal/engagement and marriage for a certain period of time. This period was marked by wearing rings which were made of initially iron and then gold. This became a sort of traditional and spread around the world, whilst being specific to the cultural beliefs and traditions of the particular region.
• During the early 19^th century, American male started giving thimbles to women as an engagement sign. The tip of these thimbles was then cut off on the wedding day, transforming it into a ring that will demonstrate the married status of the wearer.
• In the early 20^th century there was a law called ‘Breach of Promise to Marry’ which allowed a woman to sue the man of they leave the girl after the engagement but before the wedding. When this law was abandoned, women were not too satisfied and therefore found engagement ring as the ideal alternate (so that she could sell the ring and gain a bit financially if left by the man).
  

Overall, it wearing engagement ring, since ancient times, up to the present times is a mark of commitment and promise made between the two people. And yes, do you know the real reason why the engagement ring is worn on the left hand’s specific finger? Because according to the Roman and Greek belief. There is a special vein (Vena Armoris) that connects that finger to the heart.