The foundations of marriage are based on a soulful and deeply intimate event, so the things and symbols that enter this event within the framework, it is necessary to continue the deeply felt story of the two brave lovers who decided to apply for theirs union, your love space for the world. Every thing from a simple possession or a thing of beauty can turn into a symbol embodying true values.

It is the outward manifestation of love, the wedding ceremony and celebration are basically the first symbolic ritual in which the couple shares the beautiful life and world that they intend to create together with their union. Unfortunately, through the ages directly in the material party, princess dresses, jewelry and pageantry have often taken precedence over the deeper meaning of the occasion. That's why it is beautiful to live in an age when we can return to true values. Wedding rings are one of them magical, powerful symbols - talismans, which, enriched and strengthened in the ceremony, can become not only confirmation of the new status, but also for true support throughout the future life.

Nowadays, the ring is not the only symbolic ornament - more and more often couples also choose necklaces, bracelets and also body jewelry signs - tattoos. However, this time we will focus on the most traditional symbolic jewelry - rings.

When thinking about a wedding ring, you should think about both its symbolic meaning and practicality. The symbolic meaning can be very different, it depends on our attitude towards the essence of marriage, its symbolic meaning for each of us. Love and the token of commitment is traditionally the engagement ring. Marriage also includes the domestic side of life - for someone it may be a confirmation of the promise to be together and create together, for someone it may be a conditional guarantee of security, proof of social status known to another. The wedding ring contains the path, the whole spectrum of life, all the colors and shades. What path do we want to follow, what do we want to keep for ourselves, what do we want to show outwardly - this often also determines marriages shape and material of the ring.

Wedding rings have a long history, and the traditions of their use have changed, developed, depending on worldviews, religions, traditions and cultures. In ancient times, there was a belief that the soul can to "flow out" or flow out of a person - similar to water, and then the person dies. Therefore, to protect his beloved wife, her husband wrapped both her legs and arms with bracelet-like wedding rings.

One of the possible symbolic meanings of the ring can be sensed here - the desire to protect, preserve. Of course, historically the ring is also associated with ownership and the patriarchal system, for example in Ancient Rome the ring strictly indicated the woman's belonging to a specific man - information about the "owner" was engraved in the ring. In addition, the ring was made also put on very firmly - so that the woman cannot remove it herself. But basically the ring is a talisman - an ornament that keeps sacred inscriptions, signs or letters, or otherwise "marked" and blessed in a special ritual. The word talisman comes from from the Greek word "teleo" - purpose, fulfillment.

This symbolically means that it is a confirmation of determination to follow the holy path - the path of marriage and co-creation.

The talisman symbolizes all the values that prevail among the couple, and it is also the permission to pray for support as a greater - for others it is the divine, for others it is Mother Earth, for others it is love - I support you. It is trust, protection and also a commitment to grow together internally, a sign.

Today, precious metals are mainly used as wedding ring materials, most often gold or silver. Gold tend to be in different colors: white, yellow, pink, red and many more in different shades. It depends on the impurity, which is added to pure gold. Pure gold is strongly yellow in color. When making jewelry, it is usually added to it various impurities. Most often copper and silver. If you add a little aluminum to pure gold, you can get purple colors gold.

Silver is often used to make wedding rings. In many cultures, including the Balt tradition, silver symbolizes spiritual values and is associated with the feminine, with the Moon, gold, on the other hand, represents the material world and the Sun symbol. Of course, it is also possible to create rings from other materials, if they create a deep resonance and tell a story I would personally feel the saying about ourselves.

When choosing material for jewelry, it is very important to think about its practical side as well

For example, silver is a relatively soft material that is easier to deform, oxidizes over time, remains dark and can be scratched very easily. Gold is a harder and more durable precious metal. Succession is also important - often decorated leave a legacy for distant future generations, and even though it seems that when preparing for marriage, the idea of succession can doesn't seem quite right, its airing is still able to create a very strong maturity - which will be what I leave behind for the future and what story the seven generations that will come after us will listen to. It is an opportunity to convey a lot a strong declaration of love from generation to generation.

The ring is undoubtedly also a material value - in eastern countries, these wedding ornaments are often the only thing a woman has belong, but should not be the focus.

It is also worth considering the convenience of jewelry in everyday life - as the ring is in such close contact with the body, it is important that it becomes a part of you, thus it is worth experiencing your future ring by learning your tactile senses - feeling the materials, evaluating their weight, volume, warmth or coldness, sharpness or roundness.

It is also important to discuss and feel which finger you want to wear rings - in Western Europe, for example, marriage rings are worn on the left side of the heart. We traditionally choose the ring finger of the right hand, but there are dogmas have become more and more dull, and the couple can certainly choose which finger they want to wear the ring on - the bride and The groom can also choose different fingers for his wedding rings, such as wearing one on the right, the other on the right in the left hand, thus creating a 'whole'.

We wear a wedding ring everyday, every day. This means that it should be as comfortable as possible, it should not to disturb, there should be no sharp corners, unstable structures or anything that could cause injury. The jewelry must fit perfectly without having to “fix” it. You also have to think about weight. Jewelry should be a joy, not an annoying annoyance. It's big largely determines the limits of both shape and material selection, as well as sizes and dimensions.

Each piece of jewelry, and a wedding ring in particular, is a whole story and is made up of different elements. Here are the most important ones story details :

• The ring shape is what is often seen first. The ornament can be simple with clean clear lines, or it can use the interplay of different forms, creating another story.
• In comparison, the circle symbolizes spiritual energy. It is a symbol of the divine, the beginning of everything, the beginning of life, infinity and endlessness, wholeness, sun, absolute and perfection. The square, in turn, with its straight lines lines symbolize the basis, support, systematicity, concreteness, stability of everything. Forms can be with each other to interact - the creativity and ability of the jeweler and themselves to create something unprecedented together is important here. Of course, laconic simplicity, if it matches the nature of the couple, is a beautiful solution. A couple's rings can also differ, one can to be more massive, for the other more delicate, it can be supplemented with stones. The game options are many and varied.
• Color is also one of the strongest and most noticeable elements. Color creates associations. Yellow gold – sun, heat. White gold – warmth, purity, brightness. It certainly shouldn't be taken as a dogma, it's a perception very individual, different cultures have different understanding and meaning of symbols.
• Different textures can give a special mood and character to a wedding ring. The texture tends to be rough, fine, gentle etc. You can both see and feel it - the soft surface of the stone, the sharp corner of the bent metal, the shine or matting - there are many creative solutions. Also important is the symmetry or asymmetry of the ring, the proportions that adds harmony and balance to the ornament.
• The master who forges your rings is also of great importance - do you understand if he goes into your in the love story and understands the sacred meaning of the future ring, spends time telling and inspiring you about the different choices you have when co-creating rings. The master's touch, power of thought, breadth of heart have essential importance. Making rings is one of the components of preparation and maturation for the big event. On the other hand, you can safely entrust the consecration of the ring to the blesser of your marriage even before the ceremony - he can take place both individually and in a small "pre-ritual" together.

The article was made in cooperation with the creators of sacred ornaments PLANT MYSTIC , the creator of Holy Marriage ININ NINI and jewelers Anitu Sondori , which together produce strengthened signs. Their latest creation is the PLANT MYSTIC plant ornament protective signs, but each couple's personal story and wishes are the most important aspect.

Author of the article: ININ NINI