Engagement rings have carried deep meaning throughout history, symbolising love, commitment and the promise of a shared future. From ancient traditions to modern proposals, these rings have evolved in style and significance. If you are beginning your own search for a meaningful design, our engagement rings collection offers a range of timeless and contemporary pieces that reflect the enduring symbolism behind this tradition. This guide explores the origins of engagement rings, their cultural meanings and the milestones that shaped this cherished custom.
The Origin of Engagement Rings
The tradition of engagement rings falls down to the ancient Egyptians, suggesting that the concept has been around for over 5000 years. They connected circles as being a symbol of eternity, and they also believed that the left ring finger had a vein that connected to the heart. In honour of both beliefs, married couples would wear braided wires on their left ring finger.
The ancient Romans weren’t quite so romantic. It’s said that they gave their brides a ring to signal ownership of them, rather than love. This idea was soon flipped over by the Greek Orthodox Church, who introduced the idea of a ring for both the bride and groom.
Engagement rings became a symbol of love once again. During World War II, this tradition remained so that couples couples be easily reminded of each other when the man was off to war.
Why do we Wear a Wedding and an Engagement Ring?
Women in ancient Roman society wore two separate rings for a reason. One ring would be made from gold, and was worn in public to show status. The other was iron, which would be worn in the home and was supposed to symbolise strength.
Nowadays, an engagement ring is intended as a promise of marriage, and a wedding ring as a solidification of that promise. Customs dictate that we should place the wedding ring before the engagement ring on our wedding day, as that’s the position closest to the heart!
If you are beginning to compare styles and want practical guidance to match meaning with design, our guide to choosing an engagement ring offers helpful tips on selecting the right setting, diamond and overall look.
Diamond Engagement Rings
Engagement rings got a makeover in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed with a great diamond ring. It wasn’t until after the Great Depression that diamond engagement rings became a popular tradition in the west. In the 1940’s, a popular ad campaign blew up the idea of engagement rings, making them the leading item in jewellery stores.
Engagement rings are coated in meaning and dripping with history. Despite historical changes in the reasons we wear one, we’ve still stayed true to their Egyptian roots. Purchase a diamond engagement ring from our store in Melbourne to symbolise love and eternity.
If exploring the history of engagement rings has inspired your own search for the perfect symbol of commitment, take a moment to browse our engagement rings Australia range. You will find classic solitaires, modern styles and custom options that honour both tradition and personal expression.
