BETROTHAL RINGS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1676, 13 April 1904, Page 26

BETROTHAL RINGS

Bug few folks know how much the ring: they wear every day means, nor how it has 9been used for love and warfare since the earliest ages. From the King to the peasant it is used as an emblem of faith. The King’s signet is as important as .his crown, ibr with it he is wedded to his kingdom. It not only was an emblem of betrothal and marriage-, but it was placed upon the liniger of heir who became the bride of the Church, and on the finger of the widow who was “espoused to Uod.” Tiie Germans- have a : pretty idea in the double hoops which fit -closely together, •the man wearing one half ancl his “fair ladye” the other. At marriage these two rings are riveted together, and become the weeding ring. “The giro mal ring” hais two golden hops each set with diamonds, in such a way as to form a perfect heart when joined. This ring- was given to Mary Queen of ■Scots by Queen Elizabeth, and it was this half-ring which was sent by the unhappy Queen to Elizabeth asking for pity. Mourning or meano-riail rings are still in existence, and in many old wills may be found a memorandum of “money ior a memorial ring.” it was sometimes en- ! graved witir the devi'Cto of a skeleton * • death’s head, and isom<&tim.ey had a coaled picture of the deceased; octal ly it was made of hair between L. gold. Sb when the maiden has the be:, ring placed upon her linger, she know that the symbol of’ good far... almost as old as man, mid when the puna gold circlet, emblem of wifehood, >u>ifmnds the finger, the artery of which is said to lead directly to the heart, she receives the emblem, of eternity, the neverending circle which shall go with her until death do them part.