Innovation No. 65 of 77 in the book
The Wedding Ring
Rings used as symbols of commitment
- When
- c. 1400 BCE
- Dynasty
- 18th Dynasty
- Era
- New Kingdom
The ring you wear to say ‘married’ is an Egyptian idea, worn by around 1400 BCE in the New Kingdom.
Egyptians gave bands as tokens of a binding agreement, and the circle carried the meaning: no beginning and no end, like the commitment it stood for.
They are also credited with the belief that a vein ran straight from the fourth finger to the heart — which is exactly why the ring sits where it does today.
The wedding ring, and the finger it’s worn on, come from the Nile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for the wedding ring in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 1400 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom (18th Dynasty). The ring you wear to say ‘married’ is an Egyptian idea, worn by around 1400 BCE in the New Kingdom.
How did ancient Egyptians develop the wedding ring, and what is its legacy?
Egyptians gave bands as tokens of a binding agreement, and the circle carried the meaning: no beginning and no end, like the commitment it stood for. Egyptians gave bands as tokens of a binding agreement, and the circle carried the meaning: no beginning and no end, like the commitment it stood for. The wedding ring, and the finger it’s worn on, come from the Nile.