Today, the wedding ring is used as a symbol of the bond that a husband and wife have, and is used to show that vows have been taken. Many wonder how and when this tradition began. The fact of the matter is that we only have limited knowledge as to how the wedding ring tradition started.

Edward J. Wood published an article about this topic in 1869. He hypothesized that the wedding ring tradition started with the ancient Hebrews. In Hebrew tradition, the giving of gifts to the bride to be, as well as her family, from the groom to be and his family was routinely done.

Whether or not this included the giving of wedding rings is unclear, but the assumption is that rings and other jewelry were a part of this gift giving process. The bible does not mention wedding rings specifically, but does mention the giving of much jewelry to Rebekah, who was to wed Abraham.

The first solid proof of wedding rings being used dates back to ceremonies that took place around 870 A.D. It also becomes more clear as to why wedding rings were worn on the left hand, and fourth fingers. The ancient Greeks believed that this finger contained an artery that was directly linked with the heart. While this is only mythology, it does provide a romantic reason for this tradition.

Though we cannot pinpoint the exact time that the tradition of wearing wedding rings began, it is clear that this tradition is quite old. A newer tradition, the wearing of double rings, is quite new. Prior to 1940, wedding rings for men were all but obsolete. It was not until around World War II that this began to take place. According to a news story in 1953, only 15% of ceremonies included wedding rings for men.

This percentage climbed to 60% after World War II began, and was up to 70% during the Korean War. Today, it is uncommon for a groom not to have a wedding ring. Why were rings chosen over other jewelry? This is likely because religious ceremonies made mention of rings. Rings signify a unending circle of God's love, as well as the devotion that marrying couples should have for each other.

We know widely recognize wedding rings as a symbol of love and unity in a marriage. Many couples now choose to shop for wedding rings together, which further adds to the symbolic nature that these rings carry. Additionally, this item is widely used to signify that a man and women have made a commitment to each other, and are not open to any other love interests.