ENGAGEMENT RINGS
In ancient Rome a ring was given to maik a betiothal, as a pledge tint the- contiact would be fulfilled. Originally, the nng was of plain 11011 In the time of Pliny (A.D. 23 27) uon rings were still used, but during tho second century the gold ring was introduced. Though betrothal rings were thus purely secular, they wcie later blessed by the Church. Foimulao for blessing the have survived from the eleventh century. The wedding ring dovelopcd from tho betrothal ring, though the e\ act stages and dates'cannot bo traced. Decoiatcd gold inariiage lings date from the fifth centuiv, but it is not certain that they -\\eie used in the actual ceremony of marriage. The diamond is traditionally associated with the engagement ring (according to Lilian Eiehler, in "Customs of Mankind") by the old supeistition that the spaiklo of the diamond originated in tho flames of love. In Italy the diamond was called "Pictra dolla reconcihnzwna" because it was supposed to maintain concord between husband and wife Among the lover cla*«es, m stevd of the token of thp ling, ft coin was biokon by the couple betrothed, pj(h of them keeping a pait.—'Vohn U' Luadon's Vecklj."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19341112.2.13
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 115, 12 November 1934, Page 3
Word Count
199ENGAGEMENT RINGS Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 115, 12 November 1934, Page 3
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