There are many mysterious legends among the people that tell about the meaning and history of wedding rings. The sacrament of wedding has a very ancient history, which dates back to the tenth - eleventh centuries. In this article we will talk about the traditions and signs associated with wedding rings.
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Nowadays, most weddings take place in two stages: first, the newlyweds officially register the marriage at the registry office, and then get married in the church.
Even at the beginning of the tenth century, Christians registered marriages in special bodies civil status However, it was much more important for them to get married before God, that is, in church and exchange wedding rings. Already in the eighteenth century, marriages took place exclusively in the church.
For many centuries, atheism was actively promoted in Russia, in the end, in the last century the church was completely destroyed and most people stopped holding wedding ceremonies in churches, since it was prohibited and very strictly punished.
But times are changing, however, people's views have changed little and now it is quite rare to see newlyweds getting married in a church; most are limited to just registering at the registry office.
Wedding ceremonies for which couples decided to get married within the walls of a church are due to the following reasons: some Christians sincerely believe in the power of weddings, others follow ancient customs and traditions dating back to our ancestors, and some couples want to experience the incredible atmosphere of a wedding.
Many people believe that it is ancient rite with wedding rings, which are endowed with special powers, will be able to bring happiness and prosperity to the home of the newlyweds.
Signs about rings
One of the most important symbols wedding ceremony are the rings that unite the destinies of the young.
Since ancient times, there has been one sign according to which spouses should have different rings intended for weddings. The future husband's ring should be gold, and the bride's should be silver.
But many newlyweds do not follow this tradition and purchase the same jewelry in stores.
You can hear about the established traditions from the lips of the Holy Apostle Paul; in his speech, he told us that the sacrament of marrying young people is similar to the relationship between the Church and Christ of God and that marriage between spouses is made in heaven. The husband personifies Christ, and the woman represents the Church.
Therefore, the basis for wedding rings was chosen in such a way that they were symbols of the ascension of Christ - gold color, and silver signified spiritual purity, sincerity and nobility.
One sign remains unchanged - it is customary to wear rings on right hand, on the ring finger. This is due to the fact that previously it was believed ring finger a conductor directly to the human heart, since arteries flowed through it. It is worth noting that this statement is incorrect.
The church has certain rules regarding such rings. They should be simple, with a smooth finish and without large quantity stones or some additional inserts. Otherwise, the priest may refuse to illuminate the newlyweds.
Even in ancient times, wedding prayers were written on the inside of the rings, where there were conspiracies for a happy and long life together for the newlyweds. And nowadays, the initials of the bride or groom, as well as the wedding date, are most often written in the same places.
Basic signs about rings:
- It is strictly forbidden to measure wedding rings to strangers, it is believed that this will lead to an unhappy marriage, because the other person will take away a piece of happiness;
- directly on the day of the wedding itself, it is prohibited to try on other rings, not taking into account the engagement ring;
- the decoration must be made exclusively from one material and no additional drawings or engravings can be applied;
- future spouses should not wear wedding rings that were previously worn by their parents or that the rings were sawn apart, repaired, and so on;
- if the husband or wife is widowed, then the wedding ring should be worn on the left hand;
- in the case when a widowed woman gets married for the second time, she needs to wear a new wedding ring on her right hand, and the one that remains from the previous marriage needs to be put in a distant place where no one can see it. It is also strictly forbidden for children of widowed parents to wear such rings; it is believed that children can repeat the fate of their parents in this way;
- when the family collapses and the husband and wife divorce, such rings can no longer be worn. IN wedding ceremonies they cannot be used either;
- Since time immemorial, there has been such a tradition among the Slavs that future husband must buy a ring for himself and the bride;
- It is recommended to purchase rings on the same day and in the same store; such a sign is a symbol of a long life together for the newlyweds.
What signs exist regarding the wedding ceremony?
- when the newlyweds go to the wedding, it is necessary to put a lock near the threshold, and after the husband and wife cross the threshold, you need to close this lock with the key and put it in a distant place, and keep the key, it will symbolize well-being and happiness in the family;
- swear about eternal love each other needs to make this speech over the well, this will be a guarantee true love and fidelity between spouses, as well as a strong marriage;
- For a wedding, the bride must take one route, and already being a wife, another.
- When the newlyweds are crowned by the priest, special crowns - crowns - are always held above their heads. It is difficult to support them, since the weight of such crowns is impressive. The crown is worn as a sign that the marriage will be easy and long. And if the newlyweds did not wear these crowns, then such a marriage is doomed to be short-lived and unreal;
- The owner of the house was considered to be the one of the newlyweds who could place the wedding ring highest on the beginning of the finger;
- when during the wedding itself in the church one of the rings fell, this is a sign of a short life together for the spouses or death;
- which of the spouses will live less is determined by whose wedding candle goes out faster;
- A prerequisite for the church that performs the wedding ceremony for the newlyweds is some kind of gift on their part. According to tradition, the newlyweds usually gave a linen towel in which the bread was wrapped.
- candles that burned during the wedding should be preserved throughout your life. It is believed that if a woman is having a difficult labor, reading prayers over lighted candles will ease her condition and that of the baby;
- the symbol of the wedding is the towel of the newlyweds, which is also kept in their home throughout their lives;
- When newlyweds stand on a towel during a wedding, they need to determine who was the first to stand on the canvas. In this way, they determine which of them will be the main one in the family.
- when the wedding ceremony takes place, the spouses are not allowed to look at each other, since they may not love each other and one of them may cheat during the marriage;
- When the newly-made spouses go back home after the wedding, the first thing the bride does is go to the groom’s father’s house and is met by her mother-in-law, who stands at the gate, and then gives the young wife a pie and scatters hops at her feet. The couple should taste this pie together, dividing it in half. This sign symbolizes the well-fed and sweet life of the young.
- while drinking wedding table spouses need to connect with each other right leg husband and left wife, so that a black cat could not run between the newlyweds and they would not quarrel.
It is not for nothing that the mysterious wedding ceremony was considered one of the most important events in the lives of young people. They approached it with all responsibility and prepared for it long before. Such a marriage is based on an eternal bond between the spouses, a marriage that is concluded before God. Before you take such a serious step, weigh everything and think it over carefully, and if you still decide, then our advice to you is happiness and prosperity in your family life!
A wedding is one of the most beautiful and touching church ceremonies. During this sacrament, two sincerely loving people unite their destinies and hearts in the face of God. The main symbol of their love, loyalty and devotion to each other are wedding rings. The portal site will tell you how to choose the right rings for a wedding in the Orthodox Church.
Rings for church weddings: essence and meaning
The Orthodox Church strictly adheres to all established rules and traditions. Rings are absolutely necessary for a wedding ceremony, because they are one of the main attributes of the sacrament. Don't take them as normal jewelry. They carry a deeper sacred meaning. If you want to comply with all customs and canons, then you need to choose two rings from different metals, but in the same style. The product is intended for a man to be made of gold, and for a woman to be made of silver. There are two explanations for this:
- According to the first interpretation, gold is considered the personification of the sun. It symbolizes a man as the head of the family. Silver is a symbol of the moon, which reflects the rays of the heavenly body. This denotes fidelity and submission to the spouse.
- The second interpretation is based on the statements of the Apostle Paul. He compared the union of two people with the relationship between Christ and the Church. In marriage, the spouse represents Jesus Christ, and the spouse represents the church. And, as you know, it is gold that reflects the Divine essence of Christ and Jerusalem, and silver is a symbol of church grace, purity and spiritual light.
Also, many newlyweds are interested in the question “Which finger to wear the wedding ring on?” According to Orthodox church canons, wedding rings for weddings are worn on the right hand, on the ring finger. Because Christians are baptized with this hand. Everything on the right is considered correct.
Difference between wedding and engagement rings
When preparing for painting at the registry office, the bride and groom can buy absolutely any rings, unlike wedding rings. Jewelry stores offer a huge selection of such products, from simple budget options to unique designer rings with magnificent ornaments, original elements and scatterings of precious stones. After all, many newlyweds do not attach serious importance to them, more often perceiving them as ordinary jewelry. Some people stop wearing wedding rings altogether after marriage.
But the church gives a clear idea of what rings are needed for a wedding. Since Orthodoxy does not recognize attachment to material values and perceives rings as a necessary attribute of the ritual and a symbol of the marital union, they should be modest, as simple and concise as possible. Rings with precious stones and various patterns. This is the main difference between wedding and engagement rings.
Church wedding rings: models and materials
There are several models of wedding rings:
As for the material, today many people stop adhering to the canons and choose either two silver or two gold wedding rings. The most popular option is classic gold products. After all, it is easy to care for, strong and durable. White gold models look noble and gentle.
Silver products are more affordable, but inferior in quality. After all, silver needs care and cleaning, and can also darken over time.
Remember that rings must be made of precious metals. Costume jewelry is not allowed for a wedding ceremony.
Signs associated with wedding rings
There are several signs regarding weddings and wedding rings:
- According to tradition, both rings must be purchased at the same time and in the same place.
- Products must be new. You cannot use other people's rings, even if they are a family heirloom.
- You need to choose accessories made from the same metal. For example, silver wedding rings cannot contain inclusions of gold, and gold jewelry should not contain silver.
- It is not recommended to let anyone try on your ring.
- On a special day, you should not wear other rings.
- It is generally accepted that what wedding rings will be like, this should be family life. Therefore, it is recommended to buy simple decorations without patterns and stones, so that in life everything would be smooth and even.
- During a wedding, the ring is not worn on a gloved hand. If you chose as accessories for a wedding or
You should immediately think about such an important accessory as rings. IN Orthodox faith they are considered a symbol of the inextricable connection between two loving hearts.
Differences between wedding and wedding rings
When talking about wedding rings, they should not be confused with wedding accessories. If the newlyweds wear the latter when registering their marriage at the registry office, then the wedding ring is put on during the church ritual. They perform different functions and therefore must be different from each other. And if, for example, the registry office may allow you to get married without exchanging jewelry, then church officials will definitely not allow this.
Orthodox customs
According to the charter, in the Orthodox Church the groom wears a wedding ring made of gold, but special silver jewelry is sold for brides. As the Apostle Paul said, the wedding ceremony should be similar to the sacrament of the relationship between Christ and the Church. The man is the personification of Christ, which means he must wear gold - it is this that symbolizes his Divine Glory. But a woman is considered the image of the Church, and she, like silver, should radiate purity, light and grace.
There are also other interpretations of precious materials. For example, it is believed that silver is the personification of femininity, like the moon. But gold, like the sun, symbolizes leadership and masculinity.
During the wedding ceremony, a man and a woman exchange rings three times, and in the end, as a guarantee of their love and fidelity, the silver wedding ring remains with the groom, and the gold one with the bride. A man accepts this accessory from a woman as a sign of her love, devotion, fidelity and willingness to accept help. And a man puts a ring on his wife as a symbol of the fact that he is always ready to sacrifice everything for her and help throughout their life together.
The wedding ring is usually worn on the ring finger of the right hand. Since ancient times, it was believed that it was through this finger that an artery passed straight to the heart. And they wear it on the right hand, because it is with this that it is customary for Orthodox Christians to be baptized.
Which ring is better to choose?
If you are planning not only to sign at the registry office, but also to undergo a church ceremony, you definitely need wedding rings. What should these decorations be like?
For a wedding, it is recommended to choose modest rings. So, if for an engagement or registration at the registry office there is no limit to imagination in choosing jewelry, then there should be no carvings or stones on the wedding attributes. Otherwise, the church may even refuse to sanctify your marriage, considering the selected accessories to be jewelry.
It has always been popular to engrave rings - cut out some phrases, words, initials or dates. Previously, they mainly used words from prayers, but now they are most often decorated with the names of the newlyweds.
In addition to ordinary rings, there is also such a thing as wedding rings. In shape they resemble a cross, along the contour of which the inscription “Lord, crown us with your protection” is engraved. Such rings were made back in the days of Ancient Byzantium, and they have survived to this day. This ring has several more inscriptions:
- On the side - “Consent from God.”
- On the inside - “Health” and “Grace”, accompanying the newlyweds throughout their lives.
Another difference between a ring and a regular ring is that it combines two precious materials. A silver ring with a gold insert in the middle is made for the bride, and vice versa for the groom.
Basic signs: what you need to know when choosing wedding rings
You should buy jewelry for the bride and groom in the same store, and you should definitely do it together.
To spend your whole life next to each other, choose the same ring models. And for life to be smooth and without problems, accessories must have a smooth surface, without patterns or stones.
You should only choose precious metals. No jewelry - the church does not consider it a symbol of love and marriage worthy of consecration.
Wedding rings: what kind of jewelry the newlyweds should have
Nowadays, prices for silver wedding rings vary. The most modest jewelry without engraving is available to everyone. In addition, silver is cheaper than gold, so wedding rings will cost less than jewelry for registering a marriage at the registry office.
Recently, the church has not set strict restrictions on the choice of wedding rings. Often identical jewelry made of gold or silver is allowed. It is also permissible to use the same rings as when registering a marriage at the registry office. In stores you can find accessories of any thickness, with inserts of stones or with ornaments.
However, if for you a wedding is really an important event in life, it is better to stick to traditional church rules. And then yours living together will have a long and happy life, because you will be under the protection of the Church and Christ.
So, you have decided to get married, congratulations! Let's try to give you some tips on which rings are best to choose.
What rings are needed for a church wedding?
First of all, even if you have been married for many years and want to use your wedding rings, then most likely in the church, during the preparatory conversation for the ceremony, you will be advised to buy new ones. You can refuse and still come with your own, but, of course, you need to take into account that Orthodox Church does not encourage pretentiousness: they are better suited as wedding rings. You can wear something more impressive outside of church. There shouldn’t be any stones or designer delights if you don’t want them to refuse to marry you because they don’t want to bless your rings. There should also be no flowers, patterns of multi-colored stones, wavy lines, or inscriptions in foreign languages. Not the case!
Orthodox traditions
You can also choose special rings on occasion, which are sold in shops in almost any church. Just keep in mind that Orthodox tradition the groom must have Golden ring, and the bride’s is silver. After all, the husband is the Sun, and the wife is the Moon.
Most likely, in the church they will be smooth and with various Orthodox patterns, with a cross either inside or outside. It is believed that if the rings are smooth, then the life of the young will be smooth without quarrels, anxieties, betrayals and grief. Whether to wear this jewelry or not ordinary life- you decide. Often, of course, such rings are kept as a memory, but in the ritual they play a rather large role.
And don’t be surprised that wedding rings are put on the bride and groom’s left hand on the ring finger. The decorations will be blessed first.
If you have lost your wedding rings
We hope this happened not before the event itself, but later. This, of course, is a nuisance, but it is not at all considered some kind of bad omen, so you should not attach much importance to it. There is no reason to be upset, especially since you can always buy new gold rings and ask to consecrate them separately.
Conclusion
What do we get? If you come to church with your ring, there should be no pretentiousness or fancyness; If you come empty-handed, choose on the spot. If you always approach any issue responsibly and prepare in advance, remember that modern world Only you can decide what your wedding rings should be.
What rings are needed for a church wedding? Should you buy them specially or can you use those that the young people exchanged at the registry office? Will the priest refuse to perform the ceremony if, instead of modest headbands with smooth sides, you present him with patterned rings decorated with precious stones? Important question! Especially if you are serious about the upcoming sacrament and want this thin headband to become a true symbol of marriage, and not an ordinary decoration on your hand.
Symbolism of a wedding ring
For a long time, the ring has symbolized something permanent, inextricable, something that will last forever and will never find its end. In this sense, it perfectly corresponds to the whole idea of a wedding - after all, the bonds that are fastened by a shiny hoop on a finger will bind the spouses not only for a short human life, but also in eternity in heaven.
This is why the church does not welcome unnecessary frills in wedding rings. First of all, they serve as a symbol of your unbreakable love and loyalty to each other, and that is why they are precious. And not at all with fine carvings on the sides or an off-scale number of carats in diamond inlay!
Some people want to imprint their wedding date in metal.
However, usually the priest leaves this issue to the discretion of the newlyweds. Do you want a ring that reflects your personality? Thinking about a twisted pattern or name engraving? Or maybe you are going to decorate its inner surface short confession in love? Look through catalogs with photos of rings for weddings in churches, wander through jewelry stores, look at the websites of private craftsmen and feel free to choose the model that you like. Most likely, there will be no problems. Unless you come across a very strict priest or you opt for an overly provocative decoration. For example, a large black opal may look expensive and stylish, but it still has no place in an engagement ring.
By the way, there is a popular belief that the smooth surface of the main symbol of marriage, without notches and stones, ensures an equally smooth married life without scandals and shocks. But precisely this argument should not play a role for the believing bride and groom: it is known how hostile the church is to superstitions.
Gold or silver?
Gold and silver are a symbol of the hot sun and the mysterious moon
What rings are needed for a wedding? Gold, silver, platinum? Or maybe we should remember one of the most important virtues of Christianity - modesty - and choose a very simple metal? The first followers of Christ did just that, exchanging thin rims from copper and bronze. However, over time, a different tradition emerged. According to her, the groom was supposed to have a golden ring shining like the sun, and the bride was supposed to have a silver one, like the flickering and mysterious light of the Moon. An explanation for this was given by the Apostle Paul, who likened the union of a man and a woman to the unity of Christ and the Church:
- A man in marriage symbolizes Christ, and gold symbolizes the glory of the Son of God.
- Silver on a woman’s finger represents the Church, purity and light.
But this requirement is not decisive! If you want to purchase paired rings made of the same metal to emphasize the unity of thoughts and souls, choose just these. Do you prefer red gold or platinum jewelry? Not a problem either. There are no strict recommendations on what wedding rings should be.
Keep in mind that during the engagement, the newlyweds will exchange rings three times, after which the gold band will go to the wife’s finger, and the silver band will remain with the husband. With this action, the spouses commit themselves to each other, after which both become one.
Sacrament of wedding and registration
Do you need to buy new rings for your wedding if you have already exchanged them at the registration? And again it all depends on your desire. Typically, young people choose one of three options:
- Consolidate the marriage in a civil ceremony, and then remove the rings and give them to the priest to be blessed at the altar.
- Buy a new pair especially for the wedding.
- Those who consider a wedding to be a more significant ceremony simply skip the moment of exchanging rings during registration in order to receive this symbol of unity for the first time from the hands of the priest along with his blessing.
Of course, it is desirable that the wedding ring corresponds to both the centuries-old traditions of Orthodox Christians and your personal tastes. But, carried away by the search, do not forget: for all its significance, this is just a symbol. The main meaning of any church sacrament is not the exchange of necessary attributes, but its spiritual component. If a small metal headband helps you feel more intimate, it will do its job. Regardless of appearance.
