Monthly Archives: September 2022

The symbolism of the wedding ring

Rings have symbolized so many things over the years, and serve as being an emblem of love and commitment, and can also be seen as a matter of status. The modern wedding ring is worn by both men and women and the significance has shifted over time to being a symbol of marriage union.

If you are married, you are more than likely wearing your ring every day, without giving it much thought. But have you ever wondered what the history is and how it became an important wedding tradition?

It’s said the tradition of exchanging rings dates back 3 000 years, while the first diamond wedding ring was recorded in the will of a widow who passed in 1417.

There are also historians and jewelers that have agreed that it dates back to ancient Egypt, and pharaohs were thought to wear rings to give them eternity. They also wore their ring on the left hand, on the ring finger, also known as the vein of love.

The Egyptians then went on to conquer Alexander the Great, and the Greeks adopted the Egyptian custom of exchanging rings to signify a couples love and devotion by exchanging copper and iron rings at their marriage vows. Wedding rings began to evolve to show off wealth and be more customized by incorporating different metals, such as gold, and precious gemstones, like diamonds, that are symbolic.

Up until the last few centuries, marriage was a much less formal affair that rarely involved any official paperwork or legal witnesses. Throughout ancient times and the Middle Ages, a verbal exchange of commitment, and the occasional wedding ring, was all a couple needed to declare themselves married.

It wasn’t until the 12th century that the Christian Church established marriage as a “holy sacrament”, requiring an official wedding ceremony, which included placing a ring on the bride’s finger.

Even then, marriage was viewed primarily as a business transaction or exchange between two families—not as a way to show your lifelong commitment to a soulmate.

The Puritans in colonial America considered jewelry frivolous. The husbands gave their wives thimbles instead of rings. After brides used their thimbles to sew clothes and textiles for their new home, they could then saw off the tops of their thimbles to create rings.

The formal marriage proposal only began as a ritual in the 20th century in North America when couples gave each other a ring.

Up until then, it was mostly the wife wearing a simple band, and husbands were often ring-less. The soldiers in the Second World War began the tradition in the 1940s when soldiers leaving for war wanted something to remind them of their loved ones waiting for them back home. It was a turning point, not only for engagement rings, but also wedding bands.

World War II was also responsible for establishing the tradition of men’s wedding bands—something that wasn’t common practice throughout earlier history. Married soldiers began wearing wedding bands during deployment as reminders of their wives back home. The tradition eventually caught on among the civilian population, and men’s wedding bands are still widely worn today.

https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/origin-of-wedding-rings/

Items to bag!

With most women constantly on the go, doing the school run, getting to the office, making sure the fridge is stocked up and keeping the house clean, sometimes the personal grooming takes a back seat and we look like we have been run over by a bus – and it’s not even 10am. However, with the right items and essentials in your bag, looking pretty or presentable doesn’t have to be so hard.

The Spa Manager from Granny Mouse Country House & Spa has a list of these specific items which will certainly help you on those days you really need it.

  • First up, moisturizer and a travel face wash. These two items are the most basic, but will keep your face clean, moisturized and looking fresh.
  • A good foundation and BB cream are important to have on hand. You always start your day looking fresh, clear-skinned and ready for work. But as it goes, it never really lasts the full 8 hour day. And that’s ok. By adding these items to your bag, you will certainly look and feel radiant before walking into your next meeting.
  • If you are prone to breaking out, or those dark rings around your eyes are starting to show, a good concealer is always vital.
  • Lipstick is also an essential item, and ensure you stick with a shade that suits you, and one that moisturizes your lips.
  • Body lotion is a definite YES for us, especially us ladies in the Midlands, being in air conditioning or in the cold, dry outdoors. Keep it close and keep that skin moisturized.
  • If you wear nail polish, don’t show off the chipped look – it’s definitely a beauty no-no. Keep the same shade of polish at your desk at work for those emergency moments.
  • If you deal with a lot of paperwork or dirty surfaces, but you don’t have the opportunity to wash your hands as regularly as you’d like, then hand sanitizer is very important.
  • One of the most important items is definitely roll-on or spray deodorant, especially during the hot summer days. A compact perfume is perfect too, but try not to overdo it as it can overpower not only you, but the room too.
  • You might not have thought about it, but make-up remover is a great addition to add to your bag. If you are going to have to head off somewhere after work or go to gym, you don’t want your pores to clog up because you didn’t remove make-up off your face. And make sure you get a good quality one – don’t buy cheap!
  • Lastly, and it’s a big one, toothpaste and a toothbrush are important, especially if you are constantly in close proximity to others. Whether you have had been eating spicy foods or consumed lots of tea and coffee, this is a must.

Remember to never leave home without putting some, or all, of these items in your bag, ensuring you look and feel your best at all times of the day.