The Origin of Engagement Bands

Engagement bands have a deep history in the culture of marriage. The history of the engagement band dates back many centuries to Egypt where the first engagement band was given to the upcoming bride. The history behind the engagement band adds importance to the already important tradition.

The engagement band represents the promise of a man to marry a woman. Original engagement bands were woven bands. The woven rings were replaced each year to maintain the importance of the symbol. The Egyptians placed the engagement band on the left ring finger because it was thought that the vein in that finger went directly to the heart. Romans adapted the engagement band by placing three rings on the fingers of the bride to be made from iron. Each ring represented the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Many centuries ago when arranged marriages were practiced throughout the world, the engagement band was a symbol of the dowry that was paid to the bride’s family. A bride would leave her family so the dowry was given as a promise of marriage and a promise of the dowry that was owed to the family to replace the bride.

Engagement bands developed into the gold and diamond symbol we see today over many centuries. This symbol is meaningful not because of the money that is used to purchase it, but the promise and history that it displays. Arranged marriages are not practiced as often in modern days but the engagement band still represents the promise of caring and marrying the daughter of another family.