The History of Engagement and Wedding Rings

Sometimes archaeologists are lucky enough to stumble upon a find so unique that historians can’t immediately offer a convincing explanation. This time, it’s a gold love ring discovered in 2019 in Utrecht (central Netherlands) and dating from 1375 to 1550.
Such rings were typically used as wedding or engagement rings. Sometimes, such a gift could also express the hope that by opening one’s heart to the woman one loves, she would reciprocate. However, they were primarily given to women.

These four-legged companions were very popular among the nobility and symbolized fidelity and steadfastness. There’s also an engraved inscription in French: “Amours portent mon cuer à mon ami” (Love carries my heart to my beloved). The inscription uses the masculine form “ami” rather than the feminine “a mon ami,” indicating that the ring was intended for a man.
And due to etiquette, this isn’t a common occurrence…

On the outside of the ring are engraved a repeating star and a Gothic letter Y, likely the first letter of a name.