Vena amoris

Latin "vein of love". Ancient belief held that the heart was directly connected to the fourth finger, the ring finger, of the left hand by this vein.

The act of giving and accepting a ring was considered legally binding. Rings were often used as currency. After the advent of coinage, medieval Europeans commonly added gemstones to their rings.

The idea of the more elaborate "betrothal ring" was popularized by 17th century Italians. It was traditionally silver, as some considered it bad luck for a bride to wear gold until her wedding day.

That was not the only superstition associated with bridal rings. If a ring was too tight, it symbolized a jealous partner. The ring must not be dropped during the wedding ceremony, or removed until the birth of the first child.

Maybe because of its pagan origins or the superstition surrounding it, some early Christians considered wedding rings ungodly. Today most people embrace the tradition of the wedding ring, as it is not a fetish item or object of superstition, rather a sign to the outside world of partnership and permanence.

Wedding ring superstitions
History of the wedding ring
Engagement ring
Vena Amoris