It’s not until you begin wedding ring shopping that you realize just how many different types of rings there are — and we’re not just talking cut and color.
Did you know there are three traditional rings of marriage, and they all have different meanings and are given at different times? If you’re looking at engagement rings, wedding bands and eternity rings with a mixture of fear and confusion, wondering which one you need and why, take a breath and keep reading to uncover everything you need to know about the three rings of marriage.
Symbolism of The Three Rings
Before we explore the specific rings, let’s take a look at the meaning of wearing three rings. The symbolism of three rings of marriage runs deeper than many couples realize. Each ring represents a distinct phase of love’s journey, creating a powerful trinity that speaks to the human experience of commitment. This symbolic progression mirrors the natural evolution of relationships — from anticipation to promise to enduring devotion. The past present future symbolism woven into this tradition connects couples to generations of lovers who understood that true partnership requires multiple expressions of commitment across time.
Engagement Rings: The Beginning
Thankfully, engagement rings are fairly self-explanatory. These rings are for the proposal, the heart-pounding, get-down-on-one-knee, pop-the-question moment.
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Engagement rings are the ones that are generally flashier and feature at least one centerpiece stone and possibly some other decorations and details. Typically, women are the only ones who receive and wear engagement rings. Men’s rings come in with the next section.
The meaning of engagement, wedding and eternity rings becomes clearer when you understand their individual purposes within the broader narrative of love. An engagement ring captures the excitement of possibility, that electric moment when two people decide to build a life together. This ring holds the energy of dreams yet to be realized and adventures yet to be shared. The sparkle of its stones reflects not just light, but the bright future that lies ahead for the newly engaged couple.
Shop Affordable Engagement RingsThe tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the ring finger dates back to ancient times. The English custom, like many Western traditions, places special significance on the fourth finger of the left hand. Ancient Romans believed a vein in this finger, called the “vena amoris” or love vein, connected directly to the heart. While modern science tells us all fingers have similar vein structures, this romantic notion has stood the test of time, making the ring finger the enduring choice for ring stacking traditions for the three rings of marriage.
Wedding Bands: The I Do
This is where people sometimes get confused. Many think that the only ring you buy is the engagement ring, but if you’re following tradition, you’ll also want to get a matching wedding band. The wedding ring is simple, usually plain metal with no stones or set with very small stones and possibly a heartfelt engraving on the inside.
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Wedding bands are the ones you exchange during the wedding ceremony. Both bands can match, or they can reflect the couple’s individual styles. It’s completely up to you! There really is no right or wrong way to do rings on your wedding day. If you want both an engagement ring and a wedding band, or one or the other, there’s no reason not to do what you feel is right.
Shop Stackable Wedding Bands for WomenIf you’re sticking with tradition, the wedding band is typically worn first, with the engagement ring on top (so that the wedding band is closest to your heart).
Wedding rings hold deep cultural significance across different societies, though the specific cultural traditions of rings vary from place to place. The circular shape of a wedding ring represents endless love and commitment, with no beginning and no end. The exchange of rings during marriage ceremonies became widespread during the medieval period, though the custom wasn’t always the elaborate affair we know today. Early wedding rings were simple bands made from iron or brass — a far cry from the stunning gemstones and precious metals we commonly see during modern weddings. Today’s couples often choose to honor this heritage while incorporating modern elements that reflect their personal style.
In Celtic culture, rings often feature intricate knotwork representing the interconnectedness of souls. Jewish traditions include the simple gold band without gemstones, emphasizing the purity of the commitment itself. Hindu ceremonies incorporate rings into elaborate rituals that honor both families’ lineages. These diverse approaches to ring-giving showcase the human need is to mark sacred commitments with tangible symbols.
Eternity Rings: The Never-Ending
The third ring and final addition to the ring list can be given any time between the first wedding anniversary and the rest of your lives. If the wedding band is the “I do,” the eternity ring is the “I do, forever.” It’s a bit like a tangible vow renewal and recommitment to your marriage and spouse.
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Eternity rings are traditionally given on a significant anniversary, such as the 10th. This isn't a rule that's set in stone, however. You can choose any anniversary you want, earlier or further down the road. Some couples even choose to get eternity rings to commemorate the birth of a child rather than an anniversary. Every marriage is unique!
The distinction between an anniversary ring vs. eternity ring often confuses couples planning their jewelry journey. While eternity rings traditionally mark significant relationship milestones, anniversary rings serve a broader purpose as yearly celebrations of enduring love. An anniversary or push present ring might commemorate any special moment — a new baby, a promotion, a move to a new home or simply surviving a particularly challenging year together. These gifts acknowledge that marriage involves countless small victories worth celebrating.
There aren’t really any strong guidelines about the eternity ring. You can use a simple band for it that goes along with the engagement ring. Unique eternity ring ideas extend far beyond traditional diamond bands. Some couples choose colored gemstones that represent their birthstones or favorite colors. Others select vintage designs that connect them to family history or incorporate meaningful engravings that tell their personal story. We’ve seen some really neat ones with center gemstones if you’re going for something bold that can stand on its own. Really, this one is the most up to you of all of them.
Can Men Wear Eternity Rings?
Just like engagement rings, there are some men who wear them and some who don’t. There aren’t any hard and fast rules about guys and eternity rings, so it’s completely up to the wearer. The way the trends are moving with guys and engagement rings, it doesn’t seem impossible that some dudes will hop on board with eternity rings. However, it still tends to be more popular among women, especially if you’re using a band meant to be worn with another ring.
So, Which Ones Do You Need?
Well, technically, you don’t need any of them. For most couples, the first two rings encompass everything you need. Some men opt to use the first ring as both an engagement ring and a wedding band. Of course, there are plenty of guys who don’t wear engagement rings (though the number of them who do is a growing trend).
If we recommend anything, it’s to at least get an engagement ring. If you shop for affordable options, you can get all three of these rings for less than it’d cost you going somewhere else. Just something to keep in mind. That’s especially true if you opt for a wedding ring set, making the two of those rings even more affordable than they would be separately.
If you want to show off your new ring and its fancy inlays on social media, well, you’ll need to at least get that first ring. Beyond that though, it’s up to you.
Styling Your Rings
Many wonder how to wear their engagement ring, wedding ring and eternity ring together gracefully. While tradition suggests wearing them in order of receiving them (wedding band first, then engagement ring, with the eternity ring or third ring last), modern styling opens up creative possibilities. Some women choose to wear their eternity ring on their right hand, creating a balanced look. Others alternate wearing different combinations based on the occasion or stack all three rings in a way that showcases their unique design elements and gemstones. Ultimately, it’s entirely up to you!
Knowing how to stack rings meaningfully involves understanding proportion, metal coordination and symbolic arrangement. Some couples choose to stack their rings chronologically, with each addition marking a new chapter in their relationship. Others prefer aesthetic arrangements that create visual harmony regardless of the order they received their rings.
Consider your lifestyle when deciding how to wear your personalized wedding jewelry together. If you work with your hands, you might prefer wearing just one or two rings daily, saving the complete set for special occasions. The beauty of having three distinct rings is the flexibility to mix and match while always keeping the symbolic meaning close to your heart.
See, It’s Not So Complicated When You Break It Down!
Each ring is given at a different time, for a different reason, but there really are no rules. When it comes to three ring wedding set symbolism, there is only what is right for each individual couple. Some couples choose alternative gemstones for their engagement rings, reflecting birthstones or favorite colors. Others might select matching bands for all three rings, creating a cohesive look that builds over time. The key is selecting pieces that resonate with your personal story and style while respecting your budget.