Native American Wedding Rings
Exploring
Native American Wedding Rings & History
A time honored tradition is the exchanging of rings during a marriage
ceremony. You can make the symbol of your marriage interesting and unique
with matching Native American wedding rings. Many of the items pictured
above would make excellent symbol of the never ending love you have for
each other. You don't have to be of Indian descent to have an appreciation
for the traditions and crafts of the people. It is your day. Make it
special.
The actual ceremonial exchange of bands may have come from the Roman
Empire where the giving of a band was denoted as a public promise that the
marriage contract between a man and a woman would be honored. It was from
here that this tradition filtered from to take root in Christian society
making the swapping of bands an essential part of the marriage service.
Why is the third finger of the left hand known as the "marriage finger"? Most people prefer to subscribe to the theory
of of the vena amoris, or vein of love, running from this finger to the
heart. It is believed that this finger is closest to the heart and
therefore, a symbol of love eternal. It was during the reign of King
Edward IV that it was decreed that this finger be formally known as
the "ring finger," shortly following this The Book of Common
Prayer termed the left hand as the "marriage hand." Most
indigenous peoples did not use smelt stone into metal for use in
decorative objects in the early days. Thus, It is doubtful our
ancient ancestors used any type of metal jewelry in their wedding
ceremonies, but the practice has found favor among many today.
Today, the passage to the status of husband and wife is marked by the
exchange of these circles of gold or silver. They are a symbol of the
unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no
one giver and no one receiver for each is the giver and each is a
receiver. May these symbols always remind you of the vows you have made
and show others the unity of your loving relationship.
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