wedding rings : Here is what the WT 1972 1/15 63-4 Questions from Readers said in aquestion from reader article: Is it proper for a Christian to wear a wedding ring?-Greece.Many sincere Christians have asked this question out of a desire toavoid any custom of which God might disapprove. Some of thequestioners know that Catholic prelate John H. Newman wrote: "The useof temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, . . . sacerdotalvestments, the tonsure, the ring in marriage, turning to the East,images at a later date, perhaps the ecclesiastical chant, and theKyrie Eleison, are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by theiradoption into the Church." (An Essay on the Development of theChristian Doctrine, 1878) While the facts prove that many of thecurrent religious practices Newman lists definitely were adopted frompagan worship, is that true of the wedding ring?Actually there are conflicting ideas as to the origin of the weddingring. Let us give a few examples: "Originally . . . the ring was afetter, used to bind the captive bride." (For Richer, for Poorer) "Thering is a relatively modern substitute for the gold coin or otherarticle of value with which a man literally purchased his wife fromher father." (The Jewish Wedding Book) "The wedding ring is supposedto be of Roman origin, and to have sprung from the ancient custom ofusing rings in making agreements." (American Cyclopędia) "Variousexplanations have been given of the connection of the ring withmarriage. It would appear that wedding-rings were worn by the Jewsprior to Christian times."-The International Cyclopaedia.It is thus seen that the precise origin of the wedding ring isuncertain. Even if it were a fact that pagans first used weddingrings, would that rule such out for Christians? Not necessarily. Manyof today's articles of clothing and aspects of life originated inpagan lands. The present time divisions of hours, minutes and secondsare based on an early Babylonian system. Yet, there is no objection toa Christian's using these time divisions, for one's doing so does notinvolve carrying on false religious practices.Of course, our concern is greater as regards the use of wedding rings,since this relates, not to minor secular matters, but to the marriagerelationship, which the Christian rightly views as sacred before God.Really, the question is not so much whether wedding rings were firstused by pagans but whether they were originally used as part of falsereligious practices and still retain such religious significance. Ashas been shown, the historical evidence does not allow for anydefinite conclusion on this. What does the Bible say about the use ofrings?The Bible shows that some of God's servants in the past wore rings,even ones that had special meaning attached to them. Wearing a signetring could indicate that one had received authority to act in behalfof the ruler who owned it. (Gen. 41:42; Num. 31:50; Esther 8:2, 8; Job42:11, 12; Luke 15:22) So, while wedding rings are not mentioned,these true worshipers clearly did not scruple against using rings formore than mere adornment.Some persons say that a wedding ring represents one's unending loveand devotion in marriage. The increasing divorce rate in many landswhere married persons usually wear a wedding ring proves that thismeaning is more imagined than real. Nonetheless, for the majority ofpersons, including Christians, in lands where wedding rings arecommon, the ring is an outward indication that the wearer is a marriedperson. In other localities the same point is shown in a differentway, such as by a woman's wearing a certain style of clothing.Of course, a wedding ring is by no means a Christian requirement. OneChristian might decide not to wear a wedding ring, because ofconscience, personal taste, cost, local custom, or some other reason.Yet another Christian might decide to indicate his married status bymeans of a wedding ring. Hence, in the final analysis the decision isa personal one, to be made in accord with the conscientious views oneholds.
wedding rings : i posted this question in the wedding forum as well, but really it ismore of a "couples" question...here is the issue i am dealing with...my fiance has been absolutelywonderful and has actually handled all of the wedding planning himself.BUT the other night we discussed wedding rings for the first time. weare a very untraditional couple...21, i'm an art major and he isfocused on music as well as business, both finishing college. he seemsto feel that wedding rings are too "traditional" and "ordinary". wehave been unable to come up with a suitable alternative and i've haddifficult explaining the importance of wedding rings to him. anysuggestions?his other argument is one of comfort. he does not wear jewelery andclaims that he does not like the feel of a ring up against his skin. ihave looked into "comfort fit" rings, but am curious as to whetherthere are any other alternatives out there.also, is this common for men to feel this way about rings? he seems tofeel that he is voicing what most men feel towards this topic.* Sent from RemarQ The Internet's Discussion Network *The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
wedding rings : In honor of our tenth wedding anniversary, my wife and Iare renewing our vows with a recreation of a period wedding. Wehave found an 11th century rite that we like, and it involves ablessing of rings which are later exchanged. My question, anyidea what 11th century wedding rings looked like? Did they use just any old rings they liked, or were the rings of a specific style and format?I am, alas, clueless about wedding rings in the 11th century, butI have found a beautiful ring in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts catalog. According to the catalog, it's a repro of a 17th-centuryring, inscribed "vous et nul autre (i.e., 'you and no other')" ina gothic hand. Maybe not what you were looking for, but a lovelysentiment nevertheless.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~That which does not kill us makes us stronger. -- NietzscheNevertheless, my next husband will be normal. -- me~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Rou nd up the usual disclaimers. The very rings my lord husband and I used when we were wed four years ago! We've gotten many compliments on them, and they're "different" without being "odd." :-)
wedding rings : Magdalen of Cheshire, on Lord Martin's acct.Lozengy azure and argent, a phoenix gules arising from flames of fire proper, all within a bordure Or.Did you see Braveheart? William and Murron exchanged "favors" as was necessaryto show the exchange of vows.My persona reference books show various pictures of rings. If I were wantinghave a ring to be my persona's "wedding ring" then I would chose from amongthem.But I do not believe that my persona would have had/worn a "wedding ring."Wedding rings are an ancient idea from Egypt / Rome. They were given to womento show that they were now the wives/property of wealthy and/or powerful men. Both extant 11th century rites are Iberian. The one we chose, theVich manuscript, is Catalonian. We'd have prefered something more northerly,but for that century, this was the best we could do. It's mostly based onearlier Roman rites, but there are obvious Germanic influences (so says thetranslator). I'd prefer rings from Northern Europe, if they exist, but any pointersto references showing any rings from that time would be appreciated.
wedding rings : If they show any 11th century rings, I'd appriciate a bibliography. Both 11th century rites, the Vich and the Liber Ordunum, have ringsin the ceremony. If you know of any existing 11th century rites for NorthernEurope, I'd be happy to get those references, as well.[Warning, a Scottish Medievalist is about to go beserk, due to thecontinued strain caused by the film "Braveheart". Please stand well back,and wait for the proper authorities to arrive...]AAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGG!!! !!!!!!!!!!!Please, please, please, please! Do *not* use Braveheart as an example orsource for history, Scottish or otherwise. It is a Hollywood movie, it isnot history!*NOTHING* was neccessary in medieval Scotland to show or prove the exchangeof vows of marriage except the words of the couple. You didn't need apriest, you didn't even need a witness, and you certainly didn't need toexchange "favors". You could stand stark naked with not a possession toyour names, in the middle of nowhere, a hundred miles from any other livingbeing, just the two of you, and say "I take you for my husband" and "I takeyou for my wife" (or words to that effect) and HEY PRESTO, you were_married_, till death do you part, in the eyes of both the civil law andchurch authority.
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