To Infinity and Back

For https://lindaghill.com/author/lindaghill/ stream of consciousness is ring, and it got me to thinking the origin of wearing a ring to symbolise marriage. Through research I have learnt that before medical science it was believed that there was a direct vein called vena amoris (vein of love) that went straight to the heart to show an undying devotion to the person you are marrying.

Up until recently women were the main people to wear wedding rings, but it has become popular for men to wear them too. For some it can be a symbol of control, especially in a marriage where there is none. It wasn’t that long ago women lost all rights to their belongings when they got married. Think about what happens during a marriage ceremony, where the father of the bride still gives their daughter away. Like they were another possession, and the daughter had no choice. To love, honour, and obey were in the marriage vows. Obey, again, like there is no choice but to agree with their husband.

In my family tree, there were three daughters, and when their father died, instead of inheriting what was rightfully theirs, the estate went to some distant cousin. In the same era, a girl with a large dowry was sought after because their wealth would revert to the man.

Thankfully we are living in a time where women have control of their own destiny. Even when they get married, have the right to keep their second name if they wish to. No longer does it mean they have to give away their rights to marry someone. We still go for the old traditions, but not in the same sense of law.

Now, I wear my ring with pride because there isn’t the inequality there once was. It shows that I love my husband and will always be there for him. Like he is for me. We are equal in life, marriage, and love.