If you guessed the wedding ring, you were correct! The tradition of the ring to symbolize a special bond between two people has dated back since the Egyptian times, 4800 years ago. Back then, the rings were braided and formed with reeds. These rings would not last long and were eventually replaced with strands of leather, bone or ivory. Through the years, the circular shape has maintained its same meaning since. It is a sign of the never-ending love and commitment between two individuals.
Later on, the Romans added a new material to the mix when they decided to make their rings out of iron and engrave them. The origin of the engagement ring came to be in the Third century in the shape of a key made out of brass, bronze or iron. The idea of the key ring was to unlock a new life for the woman. Some of the rings indeed opened up jewelry boxes with beautiful treasures inside.
A more traditional engagement ring style (more similar to rings you see today) made its way to the stage in the 15th century and was first worn by royal families. Brides in the upper class were given engagement rings with hidden messages. For example, a ring with a diamond and a ruby displayed would stand for commitment and passion.
Fast-forward to the Eighteenth century and you will spot the beginning of the Diamond Age. As diamonds in Brazil became more accessible for the upper classes, so did their popularity. It also was at this time that a second ring (aka a wedding band) was united with the engagement ring at the time of the ceremony. One of the lead trendsetters, Queen Charlotte, wife of George III of England, opted to nestle a diamond band with her engagement ring.
- The earliest and smallest engagement ring was given to Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII. She was two years old at the time.
- The first recorded account of a diamond engagement ring was in 1477 when King Maximilian I of Germany (1459-1519) proposed to Mary of Burgundy (1457-1482) and offered her a diamond to seal his vow. (So guys, you now know who to blame!)
- The most popular month for engagement? December.
- In 1886, the Tiffany setting took the engagement ring by storm. The design’s creator, Charles Lewis Tiffany, knew the importance of a diamond engagement ring and wished for a stage to display its prominence and symbolism of love.
- Today, in Norway, Russia, Greece, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, Austria, Germany, Portugal and Spain, the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger of the right hand and not the left. In Jewish tradition, the groom places the ring on the bride’s index finger, and not the “ring” finger at all.
Ikiwa uligundua pete ya arusi, ulikuwa sahihi! Mshiko wa pete ni ishara ya uhusiano wa pekee kati ya watu wawili na ni wa zamani sana tangu nyakati za Misri, miaka 4800 iliyopita. Wakati huo, pete hizo zilikuwa zimevaliwa na kufanyizwa kwa mianzi. Pete hizo hazikuendelea kwa muda mrefu na hatimaye zilibadilishwa na nyuzi za ngozi, mifupa au pembe za tembo. Kwa miaka mingi, umbo hilo la mviringo limedumisha maana yake ileile tangu wakati huo. Ni ishara ya upendo usio na mwisho na wajibu kati ya watu wawili. Baadaye, Waroma waliongeza nyenzo mpya kwa mchanganyiko huo walipoamua kutengeneza pete zao kwa chuma na kuzichonga. Pembe ya uchumba ilitengenezwa katika karne ya 3 na ilikuwa na umbo la ufunguo uliofanyizwa kwa shaba, shaba au chuma. Wazo la pete ya ufunguo lilikuwa kufungua maisha mapya kwa mwanamke huyo. Kwa kweli, baadhi ya pete hizo zilifungua masanduku ya vito yenye hazina maridadi ndani. Kwa mfano, pete za uchumba za kifalme za kale (kama vile zile za kisasa) zilitengenezwa katika karne ya 15 na zilivaliwa na familia za kifalme. Mabibi-arusi wa tabaka la juu walipewa pete za uchumba zenye ujumbe uliofichwa. Kwa mfano, pete yenye almasi na rubi ingekuwa ishara ya kujitolea na shauku. Endelea haraka hadi karne ya kumi na nane na utaona mwanzo wa Enzi ya Almasi. Kadiri almasi zilivyoanza kupatikana kwa watu wa tabaka la juu nchini Brazili, ndivyo zilivyoanza kupendwa na watu wengi. Wakati huohuo, pete ya pili (yaani, pete ya arusi) iliunganishwa na pete ya uchumba wakati wa sherehe. Mmoja wa waanzilishi wa mtindo wa kuongoza, Malkia Charlotte, mke wa George III wa Uingereza, alichagua kuweka bendi ya almasi kwenye pete yake ya uchumba. Pembe ya kwanza ya uchumba ilitolewa kwa binti ya Mfalme Henry wa nane, Malkia Mary. Alikuwa na umri wa miaka miwili wakati huo. "Mwisho wa mwaka wa 1477 alishirikiana na mfalme Maximilian wa Ujerumani (1459-1519) na Mary wa Burgundy (1457-1482) na kumpa pete ya kifalme ya almasi.""" (Kwa hiyo, sasa mnajua ni nani mnayepaswa kumlaumu!) - Ni mwezi unaopendwa zaidi na watu wanaopanga uchumba? Desemba. Mwaka 1886, Tiffany alipanga kuunda pete ya uchumba. Muumba wa muundo huo, Charles Lewis Tiffany, alijua umuhimu wa pete ya uchumba ya almasi na alitaka jukwaa ili kuonyesha umaarufu wake na ishara ya upendo. Katika nchi kama Norway, Urusi, Ugiriki, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Poland, Austria, Ujerumani, Ureno na Hispania, pete ya ndoa huvaliwa kwenye kidole cha mkono wa kulia badala ya mkono wa kushoto. Katika utamaduni wa Kiyahudi, bwana-arusi huweka pete kwenye kidole cha kiashiria cha bibi-arusi, na si kidole cha "pete" kabisa.