Wedding ring quilt symbolism and folklore

 

In some cases, wedding quilts are handed-down, from one generation to the next. Traditionally, they were handmade by mothers and grandmothers for their children as wedding or anniversary gifts. A woman in my town who is now in her 90s, and a holocaust survivor, still makes wedding quilts for her great-grandchildren's special day. In her case, even thought each quilt is newly crafted, the story behind each one is multi-generational.

When you give a quilt as a gift, no matter who makes it, each quilt has a story. And whether handcrafted by a loved one, bought from a quilter and given with love, or passed down as an heirloom, traditionally, the wedding quilt symbolizes the shared life couples will enjoy. 

Double wedding quilt pattern symbolism

The double wedding quilt pattern is the most popular choice as a wedding gift because it symbolizes love and romance, with interlocking rings that symbolize marriage. The symbolism is rich, but, as usual, the stories behind the origin are not in agreement.

The oldest symbolism suggests a link to the gimmal ring (also known as gimmel or puzzle rings), with designs like clasped hands incorporated into interlocking rings. These two rings were worn separately by the man and woman during the engagement period as betrothal rings. When the wedding day arrived, the interlocked rings became one ring, as the bride's wedding ring. Gimmal rings were most popular in Germany and England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Another possible origin for the inspiration of the wedding quilt pattern is the Celtic Knot which has no start or finish. The knot represents eternity, and so the symbolism of the quilt is one of eternal love. However, in my opinion, the Celtic Knot is more complex than the traditional wedding quilt pattern. 

Wedding quilt folklore

Like most wedding traditions, the wedding quilt comes complete with superstitious folklore. In this case, if the newlywed couple sleeps beneath the quilt:

• They will enjoy a blessed marriage
• Be protected from bad dreams
• Be protected from bad luck

 

Most newlyweds cherish a wedding quilt gift. Whether you put stock in the traditional symbolism or superstitions, remember that all symbolism starts somewhere. In this case, I'd say it starts with the one who makes the quilt and what inspires them to make it. This symbolism attaches to that unique quilt. Along with that, all wedding ring quilts represents the life the couple will share together and so the couple will add to the meaning of the quilt over time with their own story. 

Thanks for reading. If you have a story about your wedding quilt, feel free to share it in the comments.

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Gimmel rings

The origin of gimmel rings (also known as gimmal or puzzle rings) is not certain, but they began to appear in the 1600s with designs like clasped hands incorporated into interlocking rings. If a third ring was added to the puzzle, it often bore a heart which fit into the clasped hands, very similar to Ireland's claddagh ring. However, gimmel rings were most popular in Germany and England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Lore behind gimmel rings
The lore surrounding the ring is that in ancient times, a Turkish nobleman who loved his wife very much wanted to be sure she remained true to him while he was away. He asked the local jeweler to fashion a puzzle ring that would fall apart if it was removed,. It is said he gave her the ring but wouldn't tell her the solution. For this reason, this puzzle ring is also known as a Turkish wedding band even though the Turkish people don't wear puzzle rings as a wedding ring.

 

 

Heart-shaped gemstones were often incorporated in the design and split between two rings so when the two rings were joined they formed a complete heart. Apart, the two rings allowed the bride and groom to each wear a piece of the other's heart, until they were wed. Gemstones were also fashioned in a variety of traditional gemstone cuts, but simpler ring designs were also popular and bore engravings. For instance, Martin Luther wore a gimmel ring in his engagement to Catherine Bora in 1525. It read, "Whom God has joined together, Let no man put asunder."

Gimmel rings created by two interlocking rings provided a ring for bride and one for the groom as a sign that they were betrothed. When they took their vows they fit the two rings together to form a wedding band for the new bride. 

 

 

Some rings were made up of three interlocking rings. In that case, one was worn by the bride, one by the groom, and the third by a witness – what we'd call a best man today. When a witness was involved, it became more than an engagement. It represented a contract. The witness would be present when the wedding vows were exchanged and then all three rings were joined to form a wedding band for the bride to wear.

Over the last few years, the puzzle ring has re-surged in popularity in North America and is even available as four interlocking bands.

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History of the engagement ring

When you think of an engagement ring, the first thing that pops into mind these days is a diamond ring, but the diamond ring is rooted in the culture of European royalty and that's not where the history of the engagement ring begins. In fact, engagement rings can be traced back to wedding traditions made popular during the Renaissance era. It was a band of sterling silver inscribed with a poem or "poesy" but even before this, history of the engagement ring points all the way back to the ancient Egyptians.

Some ancient engagements rings were made of bone.

First engagement rings

In ancient Egypt the first engagement rings were made out of hemp, leather, bone or ivory, and were worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. These rings were thought to symbolize the endless circle of love between a couple.

This tradition was picked up by the Greeks after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BC. The betrothal bands they wore, though, were usually made of iron, unless you were wealthy. The rich wore more expensive metals including: copper, silver or gold. At times, these rings were engraved with a message or poem which started the tradition of engraving engagement rings and wedding bands.

Today diamond and gold engagement rings are traditional.

Diamond and gold engagement rings

Diamond and gold engagement rings were very rare. The most notable was in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria bestowed one to Mary of Burgundy. Medieval Italians used precious stones as part of the groom's payment for his bride. They gave a diamond engagement ring because they believed the diamond was crafted in the flames of love.This payment symbolized the groom's intent to marry.

Then in 1518, the two-year-old Princess Mary, daughter of King Henry VIII, was given a diamond ring as a promise for an arranged marriage with the infant son of King Francis I of France.

Poesy Ring

For the most part, regular every-day people couldn't afford an expensive ring as a pledge of faithfulness. In the 15^th through the 17^th century in Eastern Europe, plain poesy rings (gold finger rings with a short inscription on their surface) with inscribed messages made popular betrothal rings.

Gimmel rings

In Ireland, a wedding tradition that began during the Renaissance, included interlocking gimmel rings. One of the rings served as a betrothal ring for the bride, another was worn as a betrothal ring for the groom, and the third ring was held by the best man until the wedding day.

Evolution of engagement rings

Until the late 19^th century, engagement rings among the wealthy were made from colored gemstones. Once African diamond mines made the precious gems more accessible, the Victorians favored a heart-cut solitaire diamond accented with rubies which were a symbol of passionate love, sapphires carried divine favor, or emeralds, which were thought to attract good fortune. Emeralds were historically the sacred stone of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, and Venus, the Roman goddess of passion.

Victorian Era Engagement Ring

Times changed, and with them wedding traditions and customs evolved. Dowries became a tradition of the past, laws changed, and women were able to sue their fiances for breaking engagements. Engagement rings became a source of financial security and were made of rubies, opals, emeralds and turquoise.

Princess cut single solitaire engagement ring

 

Tiffany introduced single solitaire engagement ring

It was Tiffany & Co. who introduced the single solitaire in the U.S. in 1886. This ring style was drastically different than the customary embedded bezel mount. The new cut showcased the jewel's natural shine and quickly became the most requested ring by American brides. It is still the most popular engagement ring setting in the U.S. today, with an estimated 80 percent of modern brides wearing a diamond engagement ring. This popularity can be traced back to the marketing campaign of DeBeers back in 1947 -- "A Diamond is Forever." It embedded the diamond engagement ring into America's mainstream society as the most coveted of engagement rings.

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