A portion of thyself
Each year, millions muster their courage and dive deep into the interdependent sea of matrimony. Traditions and rituals vary depending on the culture, but one unifying truth remains: the bond of marriage must undergo a formal and public declaration of unity.
One of those traditions dates back to ancient Egypt where a newly married couple would exchange wedding bands. Ancient Egypt considered the circle to be a symbol of eternity, and the ring served to signify the perpetual love of the spouses. This was also the origin of the custom of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand because the ancient Egyptians believed that this finger enclosed a special vein that was connected directly to the heart, denominated in Latin the “Vena amoris”.
So if you had to pick a symbol of your union, something to wear and show the world how much your partner means to you, what would you do? How would you tackle this challenge? I think it’s fair to conclude that possibilities are limitless. So, here and now, we are happy to share how we chose to express our commitment to one another. It took 7 months of planning, searching, learning, designing, reworking and a mountain of patience but we finally received our wedding bands.
Many have asked about the symbols that are inscribed in the rings. These are Nordic runes, and they do have a special meaning. They were arranged in a particular manner in an attempt to harness that which we value.
The design that was used in the rings [outer layer of the male ring and the inner layer of female counterpart].
This rune symbolizes movement, journey, overcoming challenges, leaving and reaching the desired destination. It speaks also about the journey of life – making decisions and taking initiative, moving the right direction to arrive at something new or different in your life. It symbolizes life here and now, action, control and protection while travelling.
This rune symbolizes endless possibilities – the bottom of deep waters where wild energies, hopes and fears lie.
A tiny seed holds great potential – everything that turns small seeds into mighty trees. This is a symbol of that seed – of potential, creation and growth that is ensured from within. The energy of life and creation just like harmony and organization don’t come from outside, it’s in nature and concentrated in each one of us.
This is the rune of stasis, self-control and stillness. Ice seems to stop life covering the surface of the river, but nothing actually stops there. That is a period of self-preservation and self-awareness, a period of stillness, but not the end. This is the rune of frozen water, the rune of self-awareness and focus, but it might also indicate a lack of motion and activity, warning to be aware of not getting trapped into a routine.
This rune symbolizes partnership, love and balance between giving and receiving, taking and offering. We have explicitly chosen this symbol to lie in the center.
This rune tells about harmony within and around. This is a rune of momentum, harmonious relationships, loyalty, trust, cooperation and positive changes coming through purposeful actions.
This is the symbol of humanity/community where each one is interconnected with everyone around. One person is powerful enough to affect the whole of society and has a role in the development of common experiences. Each one of us is also affected by the actions and energies of others around us. There are friends and enemies, true and calculated relationships, but what matters is your own energy and the collective potential each of us can enhance or degrade.
This rune symbolizes long term growth through short term discomfort. The symbol reminds us not to fear short term difficulties that lead to long-term benefits. This is the symbol of determination that invites you to pay attention to your real needs and necessities.
This is the rune of openings, clarity, and the expulsion of the darkness that can obscure/cover a part of your life. It symbolizes a start full of activity, clarity and concentration, which is all-important if you are embarking on a new journey.
PS: the title of this post is based on a quote “Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of thyself” [Ralph Waldo Emerson]