The Rings
In many cultures, couples exchange rings, usually made of gold or silver, during the marriage ceremony. The circular shape of the ring is symbolic of the couple’s eternal union. In Brazil, it is traditional to have the rings engraved with the bride’s name on the groom’s ring and vice versa. In the United States, England, Canada, and France, the wedding ring is usually worn on the third finger of the left hand because it was once believed that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart. But wedding and engagement rings aren’t always jewelry for the fingers. In traditional Hindu relationships, the man gives the woman a bichiya—a ring worn on the toe—as a symbol of their engagement