The hole in the centre of the ring also had significance.
It wasn’t just considered a space, but rather a gateway, or door; leading to things and events both known and unknown.
To give a woman a ring signifies never-ending and immortal love.
Some believe that the oldest recorded exchange of wedding rings comes from ancient Egypt, about 4800 years ago.
Sedges, rushes and reeds, growing alongside the well-known papyrus were twisted and braided into rings for fingers.
These materials didn’t last very long and soon were substituted with rings made of leather, bone or ivory. The more expensive the material, the more love was seen to be shown to the receiver; the value of the ring also demonstrated the wealth of the giver.
The Roman’s also eventually adopted this tradition but with their own show of masculine power. Rather than offering a ring to a woman as a symbol of love, they awarded them as a symbol of ownership.
Roman men would “claim” their woman with the giving of a ring. Roman betrothal rings were later made of iron signifying strength and permanence. The Romans were the first to engrave their rings.
It was not until about 860 that the Christians used the ring in marriage ceremonies; even then, it was not the simple plain band as we know it. It usually was highly decorated with engraved doves, lyres, or two linked hands.
The institution of Church discouraged such rings as ‘heathenish’ and, around the 13th century, wedding and betrothal rings were considerably simplified, and given a more spiritual look which was very aptly expressed by a Bishop when he dubbed it a “symbol of the union of hearts.”
The institution of Church discouraged such rings as ‘heathenish’ and, around the 13th century, wedding and betrothal rings were considerably simplified, and given a more spiritual look which was very aptly expressed by a Bishop when he dubbed it a “symbol of the union of hearts.”
A 12th century pope decreed that weddings would be held in church and that the brides were to receive rings. He also decreed that the time between engagement and marriage should be lengthened, which boosted interest in engagement rings.
One of history's earliest and smallest engagement rings was given to English Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII. She was two years old at the time.
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But it wasn't until Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented a diamond to Mary of Burgundy in 1477 that the tradition of offering the most enduring gem on Earth took hold.
Diamonds set in gold or silver became popular as betrothal rings among wealthy Venetians toward the end of the fifteenth century.
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These days, the majority of brides receive diamond engagement rings.
There's no dispute that DeBeers singlehandedly created the market for the diamond engagement ring with a simple sentiment in a 20th-century ad campaign: A Diamond is Forever.
As it turns out, the slogan might outlast the product, as socially conscious brides steer away from the products of the war-torn, corrupt diamond industry.
In the symbolic language of jewels, a sapphire in a wedding ring means marital happiness.
A pearl engagement ring is said to be bad luck because its shape echoes that of a tear.
Aquamarine represents marital harmony and is said to ensure a long, happy marriage.
Snake rings dotted with ruby eyes were popular wedding bands in Victorian England -- the coils winding into a circle symbolized eternity.
Wedding rings through different stages in history have been worn on different fingers, including the thumb, and on both the left and right hands. However, according to a Roman tradition, engagement and wedding rings are still worn on the fourth finger of the left hand (the ring finger).
There was thought to be a vein in this finger referred to as the ‘Vena Amoris’ or the ‘Vein of Love’ that was said to be directly connected to the heart. (not true, but still a romantic tale that has stuck fast in popular culture.)
http://www.tarotaotearoa.com/blog/
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If you’ve ever dreamed of a dragon, you may have woken up surprised. Afterall, dragons aren’t creatures you see every day. But dragons are ancient creatures found in nearly every culture in some form or another, and they mean a variety of things to different communities.
Some dragons guard the gate to the underworld where hidden treasures await you. Other dragons guard the gate to the heavens, the place that holds insight and inspiration. And still others are the monsters you fight in order to prove your power (mostly to yourself) so you can evolve as beings.
Indeed, dragons are multi-faceted creatures who often symbolize benevelonce in the East and malevolence in the West, and when you dream of dragons it’s probably a good idea to know which one you are confronting.
Western dragons are large and scaly, scary and fierce. They perfectly capture the essence of what it’s like to be tormented by our fears. Conversly, Eastern dragons are often colorful and beautiful, eloquently representing the magical and supernatural qualities of life that protect us and grant us wishes.
These dragons might also represent our inner power, the aspect of ourself that is calling us forth into new territory.
In dream-land, dragons may represent various aspects of our internal and external lives, the parts or our personality we fight against, the battles we win and lose with ourselves and others, as well as the struggles we overcome.
Learning how to work with dragon dreams might empower you to face your fears, recognize and claim your inner gifts so you can more easily take them into the world, and make peace with whatever frustrations plague your life.
Although you may not have dreamed of an actual firebreathing dragon, chances are you’ve dreamed of an adversary or helpful guide who was dragon-like. Snakes, serpents, and sea-monsters can fall into the “dragon” category since they are the progenitors of the species.
Regardless of the type of dragon in your dreams, these impressive beings can simultaneously evoke awe and fear. The trick is to summon the necessary courage to stand your ground so you can determine how to interact with the dragon. Should you slay it or ask it for guidance? To better understand the answer it’s useful to explore the history of dragons.
In Eastern mythology, the dragon is a long, snakelike creature with four or five claws and is a symbol of auspicious, benevelont power. “The association between the dragon and vigilance (which it can personify in art) is evidenced by many tales in which dragons appear as guardians linked with the underworld and with oracular knowledge.”
There are many types of dragons in Chinese mythology. For instance, the Heavenly Dragon Tianlong (Tian – heaven, Long – dragon), is a dragon who guards the heavenly palace. The Underworld Dragon or Treasure Dragon, Fucanglong, lived in caves below the earth and protected natural and man-made treasures.
In Westeren mythology, the dragon is typically a two legged creature who possesses the ability to fly. Most of Western Europe experiences the dragon as an evil adversary.
In Norse mythology, for instance, “Nidhogg (“tearer of corpses”) is a monstrous serpent that gnaws almost perpetually at the deepest root of the World Tree Yggdrasil, threatening to destroy it. Nidhogg (also) lies on Nastrond in Niflheim and eats corpses to sustain itself.”
In Greek mythology, the constellation Draco, which is a constellation in the northern hemisphere, “was identified with the dragon Ladon, which had a hundred heads and was in charge of guarding the Garden of the Hesperides, the orchard of the goddess Hera where golden apples that gave immortality grew. When Hercules was given the task to steal the apples, he enchanted Ladon with music and put him to sleep before stealing the apples. Hera later placed the dragon among the stars.”
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source: http://www.topastronomer.com
http://thedreamtribe.com/dragons-in-myth-and-dreams/
Source: page 54 Symbols and their Meanings by Jack Tresidder
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