The History of Engagement Rings And Bridal Sets
Both engagement rings and bridal sets come from the same source idea. The earliest uses of symbolic rings are attributed to different peoples, including the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. Engagement rings, then called betrothal rings, were a symbol of the woman’s connection to her future husband – but it was a sign of ownership rather than romance or love. The ancient Romans used iron rings to represent force and permanence, and the Greeks are believed to have originated the idea of wearing the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand because they believed the vein of love connected that to the heart.
Engagement rings became more popular when Pope Nicolas I, in the ninth century, made it mandatory to give an engagement ring – this was to prove a man’s capability of financially looking after a wife. In 1215, Pope Innocent III made a similar declaration though the rings could consist of different metals, including silver and iron, and the rings were meant to be worn during a longer engagement period.