The Significance Behind Engagement Rings

When a couple gets engaged, often there is at least one ring exchanged. For each couple the engagement rings may symbolize something different. In the same way each culture has its own customs behind engagement rings. No matter what the rings signify, they have become a tradition for people around the world to be worn prior to marriage.

In each culture around the world there are different traditions and meanings when it comes to engagement rings. In the Western society, women are the ones that receive engagement rings when the man proposes. She then wears the ring on her left-hand ring finger to show that she has made a commitment to the man and intends to marry him. Then at the wedding ceremony, the woman receives a second ring to symbolize that she is now married. At this time the woman also gives a wedding band to the man in the same way.

In the countries of Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and Finland rings are exchanged between couples when they get engaged. This means that both the man and the woman will wear a ring until the time of marriage. At the wedding ceremony, the man's engagement doubles as his wedding band, whereas the woman will sometimes receive a second ring. Things are little different in Germany. There the engagements rings must be made of platinum or gold and at the wedding ceremony the rings are simply moved from the left hand to the right hand to symbolize that they are no longer engaged, but are now married.

For Western cultures the engagement rings for the woman typically consist of a band made from a precious metal and one gem. In most places the gem is a diamond and is centered on a band made from platinum, silver, or gold. The expense of the diamond symbolizes the man's serious intentions toward the woman.

In European cultures the engagement rings typically consist of a band without a diamond. Although most of the European countries prefer for the band to be without a gem, France's tradition is to have a gem other than a diamond on the ring.

In all places that have engagement rings, the meaning behind the rings is basically the same. The rings signify a strong commitment to always love and care for the future spouse in marriage.

Diane Winter provides helpful tips and ideas that gives you a lot of information on wedding bands and engagement rings. Try visiting also her website with the best wedding ring tips and to learn more on how to choose an engagement and wedding ring set.

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