Wedding Bands

The modern custom of wearing a wedding band has roots in many nations and religious traditions. Wedding bands have been excavated in Egypt that date back as far as 6,000 years. To the ancient Egyptians, the circle represented eternity. And so a ring placed at the base of the fourth finger symbolized eternal love. The Egyptians (and later Romans) believed that a vein passed through that finger and led to the heart. Although our understanding of anatomy may be more nuanced, the idea of eternal love remains alive and draws its imagery from ancient times.

The history reveals much about what is constant and what changes over time. Originally, in North America, wedding bands were worn only by the wives. During the twentieth century, however, it became customary for both husbands and wives to wear wedding bands. This transformation followed the increasing equality between the sexes, among other factors.

During the Great Depression, only 15% of weddings were double-band ceremonies. However, by the late 1940s, 80% of weddings were double-band ceremonies. The trend has continued to the present day. The majority of couples opt for double-band weddings, sometimes against the will of orthodox religious authorities.