Byzantine wedding ring

This ancient Byzantine wedding ring dates back to the 6^th century. It’s an octagonal ring adorned with eight scenes depicting the life of Christ.  The scene decorating the flat surface of the top of the ring depicts the Ascension.

Byzantine ring offered protective powers and more

During this period, jewelry like this was crafted to commemorate special occasions including betrothals or weddings and were inscribed with words. In this case, the translation of the inscription on this ring says, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 6:3). 

Unlike the Victorian keeper ring, jewelry of this era which bore scenes of the life of Christ was thought to offer protective powers because these scenes were thought to combine to form a prayer in pictures. This superstition carried over to other jewelry worn to protect from bad luck.

Solid Gold, Silver & Diamonds Medieval-ByzantineCross Ring

Other than this amulet-like function, during the Byzantine era, jewelry was worn for much the same reasons it’s worn today. It commemorated special occasions, it was a popular adornment, and a way to show the owner’s wealth. And the wearing of jewelry wasn’t limited to women–men and children also wore it. Along with all this, it was also considered a form of “liquid wealth” because it could be melted down in times of need.

Solid Gold & Sterling Silver Medieval-Byzantine Ring

Byzantine Style Wedding Rings Today

Today, Byzantine style wedding rings “are an attractive choice as more people are attracted to the Medieval and Byzantine era – books and movies for instance based on this period are more popular than they used to be. Dan Brown and his mystery books, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones among many others create a greater group of fans” according to Culture Taste who designs and sells handcrafted Byzantine style rings along with other collections. “I basically think a romantic mood creates and strengthens this revival. This jewelry is mainly for those who want something more than the mainstream wedding jewelry, something different – with history, mystery and mysticism.”

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Victorian keeper ring

Keeper rings, like many wedding traditions, are surrounded by a variety of legends. One of these dates back to Victorian era (1837-1901) when the keeper ring is said to have represented the idea that the receiver was worth “keeping.” It was considered a kind of pre-engagement or betrothal ring and was presented a year before the official engagement. 

 

Keeper ring meaning

Whether you believe the ring goes back to the 1700s or that the Victorian keeper ring started this trend, the romantic “you’re a keeper” sentiment attached to the ring makes it a popular choice today as a unique wedding ring, engagement ring, eternity ring, and even an anniversary band. These keeper rings continued into the Edwardian era with styles that included elegant braided gold rings.

King George III era keeper ring

King George III Era Style Ring

Another story dates back to 1761 when King George the III gave his bride, Queen Charlotte, a wedding ring band encircled with diamonds. Diamond rings were a popular ring choice in the mid-eighteenth century, and a second ring – a keeper ring – was worn to protect the more valuable ring from accidentally sliding off the finger. These were also known as guard rings. These antique keeper rings came in a variety of styles from plain gold or enameled bands to diamond or gem-set bands similar to today’s eternity ring.

Modern guard rings are designed to enhance the ring they protect.

Over time, the diamond ring took on the role of a betrothal ring, and the keeper ring evolved into the wedding band. And keeper rings of today are known as guard rings, but they are often designed to enhance the ring they are protecting.

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5 strange marriage customs around the world

When you think about it, many wedding customs can seem unusual compared to regular everyday life. I mean when else do you think about wearing some old, new, borrowed or blue? But as strange as customs like that can seem, there are some really strange marriage customs around the world that top that by far. Here are five you won't believe.

 

1. India: Marrying a Tree

For instance, can you imagine a bride marrying a banana tree before she can marry the groom? You heard me right. Marrying a tree! For certain Indian brides, if you follow this marriage custom in India, you’ll realize eternal joy with your soul mate. 

 

Blackening the bride.

2. Scotland: Blackening of the bride (and groom)

This ones a Scottish wedding tradition that also involves a tree. Some just celebrate it by blackening the bride, but many these days have included the groom as friends and relatives “show affection” by dumping nasty, smelly things on them. This is done days or weeks before the actual wedding and can include things that would make me gag. We’re talking about spoiled food, curdled milk, even dead fish. Think of cleaning out all those fuzzy unrecognizable leftover experiments from your refrigerator pouring them into a bucket to turn into a slimy gruel, along with buckets of flour, dirt or whatever goo they feel like dumping over the bride (or couple) while paraded through the streets. It’s thought to ward off spirits and bring good luck. But that’s not all. Remember, the tree? Well the bride is taken out for a night of drinking and then tied to a tree. The idea behind this is that if the bride can handle this, she is ready to face any humiliation or problems marriage brings her way.

3. Germany: Piles of broken porcelain

How often do wives wish their husbands would help around the house more. In Germany, they have a tradition to help get the couple working together as they clean up piles of porcelain dishes their guests smash on the ground to ward off any evil spirits. The moral: if they work together, the couple can handle any challenge together.

 

Piles of broken porcelain dishes to clean up.

4. France: Chocolate, champagne and the toilet

This wedding-related custom takes place following the reception. The bride and groom get to eat chocolate and champagne! Doesn’t sound so bad, right? Except they have to drink and eat from a toilet bowl. Why? To give them strength for their wedding night.

5. Indonesia: Honeymoon - 3 days housebound with no toilet

This marriage custom relates to the honeymoon and makes a good strange marriage custom to end today’s blog. An Indonesian honeymoon custom keeps the newlyweds housebound for three days and nights. While that part isn’t so bad, the strange part is they cannot use the toilet all that time. They are allowed minimal food and drink and actually have someone watching over them! Why oh why would they do this? They believe it will provide a happy marriage full of healthy babies!

The thing that’s interesting with these strange marriage customs around the world are the superstitions attached to them. But really, the reasons many of our wedding traditions exist are superstitions. After all, wearing a wedding veil originated to hide the bride from evil spirits.

Photo credits: Mind Midst, pxhere.com