What's in a Ring?

I've been thinking a lot lately about the origins and purpose of wearing a wedding ring / engagement ring / wedding set.  According to what I can find, the origins of the wedding ring go back to at least Ancient Egypt, where "the circle was the symbol of eternity, with no beginning or end, not only to the Egyptians, but many other ancient cultures. The hole in the center of the ring also had significance. It wasn’t just considered a space, but rather a gateway, or door; leading to things and events both known and unknown. To give a woman a ring signifies never-ending and immortal love."

If this is the case, we Westerners owe the origins of the modern wedding ring not just to Rome (as with so many things we borrow from the Romans) but also the Ancient Egyptians.  We place so much importance on the wedding ring because it "signifies never-ending and immortal love."


But what about the case of divorce?  Or couples where the man proposes and then they break up?  It's a conundrum.

My personal belief is that if a man gives a woman a wedding ring, and the relationship is terminated, the woman should give the ring back, if and when it's asked for.  As a symbol, the ring means nothing if the relationship has ended.  To me, a man can only be in one marriage at a time for two reasons.  First, it's the law.  Secondly, (in my opinion) you have to truly dedicate yourself, in every way possible, to one person in order to have a healthy, thriving relationship.

Maybe that's not the case with everyone.  I'm sure there are polygamists and polyamorists out there who are perfectly happy in their three-or-more person relationships.  But it's not for me and it goes against what I feel is morally right, what works, and what is healthy for the partners involved.

But how does the symbol of the wedding ring come into that?  If another woman has a ring from a man, that was never requested back, does his current partner have the right to be distressed about it?  How can a man make a commitment to a "never-ending and immortal love" with his partner if he's already made that promise, via a ring, with someone else?

However, in an interesting twist, "rather than offering a ring to a woman as a symbol of love, [the Romans] awarded them as a symbol of ownership."  Why do most modern women, many of them self-proclaimed feminists, not have an issue with this practice of wearing a wedding band when that practice has a history of signifying ownership?

I don't personally believe a ring signifies ownership and have never had an issue with wearing one.  But I do truly believe a ring is a commitment to "never-ending and immortal love" with your partner.  Combine that with my feelings regarding a married relationship being between only two people and you're left with a conundrum I'm having a very difficult time personally navigating.