Men’s Wedding Rings - Should a Man Wear One or Not?Written by Peter Crump
Strange as it may seem use of a wedding ring by men was not common until recently. Whereas women have worn wedding rings for eons, men have not. The use of rings as a symbol of everlasting love enshrined in marriage can be traced back thousands of years. But not so much for men.It was, in fact, during second world war that use of wedding rings by men became more common. (Note that mens wedding rings and men’s wedding bands are interchangeable, both meaning same thing.) It became custom for US soldiers going to war to publicise their marital status by wearing of a man’s wedding ring. They were happy to make public their commitment to their wife by wearing of a public symbol that declared that commitment to all. Given that this habit of wearing men’s wedding bands was reasonably new it was all more creditable that these men were willing to forego marital obscurity available to them from not wearing a ring and actively chose to make a public statement about their choice. Men’s wedding rings have become increasingly more common since that time. Today it is probably as common for a newly married man to wear a ring as not. This may be due to several factors. The modern man may consider it his duty to choose to make same public marital statement as his wife will. And his wife may well consider it a condition of marriage that he do so. After all, in these days of equality, if she is prepared to make a statement then should he not do so as well? Despite fact that wearing of a ring by a woman is a matter of choice, it is in fact almost obligatory due to fact that it is so common. Many women do not even consider possibility of not wearing one. Often, however, a man usually considers wearing of a man wedding ring very carefully. There are a number of issues to consider. Firstly, is he concerned about a public display of his marital status? Some men, whether rightly or wrongly, are threatened by this. Others are not in least concerned. Secondly whilst wearing of jewellery by women is so common as to go unremarked that is not necessarily case for men. For many men wearing of mens wedding bands is just a case of being asked to wear jewellery. Men often do not feel comfortable wearing jewellery and in many cases have never done so before. Whilst some men see their wedding band as different to wearing ordinary jewellery, others feel just same as if they were being asked to wear ear rings. “It’s just not done by men”. The author, for example, wears a man wedding band, but would never consider wearing any other form of jewellery. And as many men have never worn any form of jewellery before they have no idea what it will feel like to have something permanently on finger. Is it heavy? Does it rub? Silly as it may seem to women this can be of concern to some men. (If this genuinely is of concern it is quite possible to find a cheap jewellery shop, buy cheapest ring available and wear it for a while. See exactly what it feels like. And find out your size at same time.) Men’s wedding rings are, in eyes of some men, effeminate. “Real men” don’t wear rings or jewellery at all. This is becoming less of an issue as wearing of a man’s wedding ring becomes more common, but is still an issue with many men. Culture is also a consideration. In many cultures wearing of wedding rings by men would never be considered. Men must think about how their particular culture, and also their religion, would view wearing of a wedding band. There are also practical considerations. Many men are engaged in trades where wearing of a man wedding band would be downright dangerous. Although unlikely it is quite possible for a ring to get caught in machinery. In some jobs a ring cannot be worn on job, and must be removed. This can also apply to women.
| | Symbolism of Wedding RingsWritten by Peter Breslin
"The meeting of two personalities is like contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed." -C.G. Jung Rings have been exchanged as a symbol of bond of marriage for so long, and in so many different cultures, that origin of practice is obscure. Certainly, circle of a ring represents undying love and continually renewed vows of married couple. Circles have long been archetypes for not only timelessness, but also wholeness and homecoming. The circle also speaks to constant round of heavens, as well as eternal return of seasons, marked by cyclical ritual and celebration. In addition, circle in rock art, sacred stone arrays, and astrology represents both Sun and Moon, themselves astrological and alchemical symbols for masculine and feminine aspects of cosmos. This correspondence with Sun and Moon is emphasized by frequent practice of choosing gold for one betrothed and silver for other, as gold and silver are metals long associated with Sun and Moon respectively. Rings in general have a deeply rooted magical significance. Enchanted rings figure in many ancient folk tales. Incantations and spells for protection of wearer of rings are common motifs. Today, in traditional religious ceremonies, Christian and otherwise, wedding rings are blessed by a minister or priest, thus continuing symbolic practice of imbuing rings with protective powers. The widespread tradition of embellishing plain gold or silver wedding band with various designs and patterns has been known since at least 700 AD, in both Pan-Hellenic and Celtic cultures. The quite ancient symbol of ouroboros, serpent which consumes its own tail, was a theme used for wedding rings made of iron in Rome. The ouroboros itself is a symbol of oneness of creation and destruction in renewal, and life principle which timelessly feeds on its own inspiration. It also represents hope for a lifelong marriage union that’s continually renewed. Celtic wedding rings are often gorgeously decorated with geometric knot work patterns that have a long history and central place in Celtic art. These patterns are strongly vegetative, suggesting tendrils and vines. In fact, in much of Celtic art, including famous illuminated Bible, The Book of Kells, these Celtic Knots emerge from or transform into vegetative foliage. The beautiful symmetry of these woven patterns is often not square, rigid, or overly formal, but organic, flowing, and a stylized reflection of curves and spirals found in nature. Indeed, Celtic Knots that embellish wedding rings herald ideas of spring, fertility, and eternal reawakening of life force - all of which bode well for a fruitful life partnership.
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