"The soul is a circle." - Plato
Plato made this statement many centuries ago, but its significance is just as profound today when you think of it in relation to the wedding ring. Probably no other ring ever created has been surrounded with as much folklore and tradition as the ring that unites the hearts of two people. Gay marriages and wedding rings both represent the magic of love and freedom. Once this magical spark has been lit, love naturally evolves into commitment pledged with a wedding ring.
For two people who want to exchange vows of devotion in a gay marriage, the history supporting the role of the wedding ring in the ceremony is bound to the magical symbol of the unbroken circle, which the Egyptians described as "without beginning, without end." This statement describes the essence of the quality that the wedding rings impart to the celebration of gay marriage: a bond of love between two people that is timeless.
Just as much of nature expresses itself in this shape; our bodies systems as well are attuned to the circle. The wedding ring in gay marriage brings with it all of the mystical power of its circular shape. A ring can be worn on any finger: the choice of which hand and which finger is the best one to use has changed over time. During the gay marriage ceremony, the wedding ring placed on the third finger of the left hand provides strength and grounds the emotions.
As the reality of the fact that love knows no gender becomes more widely known, it is only natural that jewelers from around the world have begun crafting wedding rings especially for gay marriages with meticulous care in the adorning the circle with symbols of gay pride. In the ceremony of gay marriage the wedding rings carry a deeper meaning; for gay marriage expresses the unbound generosity of love: it is free of blind spots. While there are many who consider gay marriage a "completion" of their love for one another, many others feel that the celebration begins a completely new chapter in their relationship.
Wedding rings in the celebration of gay marriage can be ornate, encrusted with jewels such as diamonds or pink sapphires or a simple band or two of precious metal such as titanium, sterling silver, gold or platinum. Some couples prefer ethnic designs such as Native American which are well loved for their extensive use of turquoise, the gemstone that denotes good fortune. In addition to gay pride symbols, the use of culturally derived symbols for instance, the Celtic love knot design and the Irish Claddagh, which shows two hands clasping a heart to stylize a ring are also very popular.
As the emotion of love is universally understood, the way wedding rings are designed adds to their significance in binding two people in the union of gay marriage. Indeed, the exchanging of vows and wedding rings are the moments in the ceremony that are best remembered by the coupe throughout their years of marriage.
Would a gay marriage ceremony be the same without the wedding ring? Is a tangible item required to show our devotion to our partners? This is not the fundamental significance of the wedding ring: it is much more than this. It seals the oath between the two people in the union and gives the witnesses to the gay marriage evidence of the commitment that was made.
As you plan your gay marriage celebration and begin to think about the design of wedding rings that will best express your sentiments, be sure to review the selections from the many designers who specialize in creating gay pride jewelry for this most special celebration.
