The Engagement Ring: Not A Licence

The engagement ring has been known by many different names,have symbolised a variety of different things and have not always been made of precious metals and stunning gems. The ancient Greeks are thought to have been the forerunners in the using of the traditional engagement ring. Given as a token of care and affection,the rings used by the greeks were known as betrothal rings and were given before marriage. However,the giving of these rings was not always a pre-requisite to marriage. As seen by their use of wedding ring,ancient Romans weren't the most sentimental of people and the early version of their 'engagement ring' were thought to be carved key on them. It has been debated that this could have been to symbolise the woman's right to access and own half of everything following marriage. The more sentimental like to think that the key may have been a key to her husband's heart. Engagement rings-stunning gems encased in precious metals-became popular in around the fourteenth or fifteenth century,when the affluent and the royals began to exchange and wear these jewels. The purpose of engagement rings and wedding bands is to convey deep emotions of eternal love,eternal happiness,eternal commitment and eternal togetherness. Infact,these rings signify eternity-between the giver and the recipient. A ring of course is a complete circle with no break and no end or beginning which means that it just goes on and on-it is eternal. And,since folklore has it that the fourth finger of the left hand has a vein(also known as vena amoris or vein of love) leading directly to the heart,it is only natural that both engagement and wedding rings would be worn on this particular finger,which was once reputed to be a direct route to the heart. In short,it is clear that the giving of a ring in honour of a union,betrothal,and marriage has been going on since ancient times,and although it may not always have been glamorous and romantic as it is today. Engagement ring is a symbol of many emotions and promises such as love,commitment,fidelity,eternity and honour. In each culture around the world there are different traditions and meanings when it comes to engagement rings. In the western society,women are the ones that receive engagement rings when the man proposes. She them wears the ring on her left-hand ring finger to show that she has made a commitment to the man and intend to marry him. Then at the wedding ceremony,the woman receives a second ring to symbolise that she is now married. At this time the woman also gives a wedding band to the man in the same way. In countries like Denmark,Germany,Sweden,and Finland,rings are exchanged between couples when they get engaged. No matter what the rings signify,they have become a tradition for people around the world to be worn prior to marriage. In some countries ,such as the United States and the United Kingdom,it is worn on the left hand ring finger,while in other countries such as Poland and Ukraine,it is customary for the ring to be worn on the right hand. The price for the ring can vary considerably depending on the materials used,the design of the ring,whether it includes a gemstone,the value of any gemstone,and the seller. During engagement,the ring comes with its surprises. As the man proposes,he may accompany his action with the presentation of an engagement ring which may serve as an evidence. The highly excited women may have a special way they would want the proposal to go, but may expect another. Engagement on its own is not marriage. Until the marriage ties are complete,engagement can still be broken. Infact,a broken engagement is always better and preferred to a problematic marriage. Suprisingly,engaged people live as married couples. Against the normal thing,neighbours see engaged people as married. It does not end there. They go ahead to defy themselves in the name of love. The right attitude demands that sex be avoided before marriage. Remember that the only atmosphere for sex is marriage and nothing else. Many ladies have left themselves to be defied after receiving the so-called engagement ring. Even though the ring is a sign of commitment,it is NOT A LICENCE for having sex with your fiance or fiancee before marriage. Ladies always fall victim of this ugly trend because they take their fiances as 'husbands' forgetting that men can always use and dump them even a day before the wedding day. Hear this ladies! You have an integrity to protect. Never allow yourself to be used because of a mere ring. Your pride as a woman is far more precious than that. Firmly hold on to chastity until the wedding night because that is the only way to get true respect from your man. What belongs to you will definitely come. Dont be in a hurry to grab it. Be patient and wait for it. Engagement and the ring attached to it is not the end but a mere step in the marriage process. Men can always and easily change their minds. Refuse to be cheap!