Wedding rings: myth & legend

When you’re planning a wedding, you’ll come across lots of myths, legends and old wives’ tales about what you should and shouldn’t do; what creates bad luck and what creates good luck. The wedding rings are an essential part of any wedding service, whether it’s a traditional church service or a small, private civil ceremony, so what are the stories that surround this part of the event?
 

Wedding rings - myths explained

• The ring is a symbol of possession - well, yes, it is. But it’s not a symbol of the man’s possession of the woman. For many years, when only the woman wore a wedding ring, it was assumed that the ring was to show that the woman now belonged to one man only. Historically, however, it was a gift from husband to wife, a possession of hers that showed his wealth and commitment.
• Dropping the ring is bad luck - some myths say that dropping the wedding ring during the service will bring bad luck to the one who drops it. Others say that dropping the wedding ring expels any bad luck or evil spirits that may have been present in the ring. The bottom line is: try not to drop your wedding ring, because you’d hate to lose it!
• Wedding rings have magical powers - this is not a common myth today, because we know that our wedding rings don’t really have magical properties. In days gone by, however, it was thought that a ring around your heart would protect you from evil, and as the third finger of the left hand was thought to have a direct physical link to the heart, it was the natural place to put your wedding band. We might not believe in the magic, but we still follow the tradition.
• Wedding rings can predict a boy or a girl - it’s a common myth that threading a wedding ring onto a piece of string and dangling it over the stomach of a pregnant woman will how the sex of the baby. The myth says that if the ring swings in a circle, it’s a girl; if it swings like a pendulum, it’s a boy. As with many pregnancy myths, some believe it and some don’t, but there’s no logical reason why it should work.

The Jewellery Company has a wide range of wedding rings to suit all tastes and budgets. From plain gold bands to contemporary diamond rings, you can find your perfect wedding rings and order online. Set in tasteful ring boxes and with free UK delivery, The Jewellery Company is the perfect place to find wedding rings for your big day. For more information, browse our website, or call us on 0800 023 2283.